| Topic: | Will Hounslow Council's five new pledges be kept ? | |
| Posted by: | David Giles | |
| Date/Time: | 26/05/10 14:31:00 |
| Hounslow's new Labour administration announced 5 pledges yesterday: 1. "Action on crime with 100 uniformed officers on the streets and CCTV in crime hotspots". Comment: this is a desirable objective but Hounslow Council is not in a position to deliver because Hounslow Council does not control the London Metropolitan Police. In addition, the new Government is unlikely to want to fund a lot more CCTV.Britain already has more CCTV than the rest of Europe combined. 2. "Extra cash for schools to improve standards and new school places to give parents a better choice". Comment: this is a desirable objective but Hounslow Council is not in a position to deliver because as the outgoing Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Labour MP Liam Byrne admitted "There is no money left" after 13 years of Labour Governments. On the contrary, Hounslow like every other local authority will have to cut its spending on education. 3. "A new partnership with local businesses and housing associations to create jobs and build 2500 affordable homes to rent or buy". Comment: this is a desirable objective but Hounslow Council is not in a position to deliver because it has no money of its own to either create jobs or build houses. Hounslow had a poor record in building affordable homes when Labour was in charge until 2006 and was not trusted by the private sector. 4" A 24/7 team of Grimebusters to tackle graffiti, litter, and dumped rubbish, and a direct dial phone number for immediate action." Comment: A desirable objective but will Labour deliver ? The outgoing Conservative led adminstration greatly improved Council performance in this respect compared to previous Labour administrations. 5. "A fresh war on waste and a Council Tax cut for all residents" Comment: The outgoing Conservative led adminstration greatly improved Council performance in respect of waste and over-spending compared to previous Labour administrations. The Conservative led administration froze the Council Tax for 4 years whereas previous Labour administations consistently increased local taxes for 40 years. It remains to be seen if Labour can keep its promise to actually cut Council Tax in view of the large reductions in Central Government funding Hounslow will experience over the next four years. |