"Hammersmith and Fulham Council are proposing their sixth reduction in Council Tax in seven years. They are also freezing parking charges. Council Tax in the Borough is down 17% since 2007....the Council has not pulled off this great improvement in tax bills by slashing services. All its schools are rated excellent or outstanding, one of only 9 Education Authorities to be able to say that. Crime is down, and the Council has improved its law and order performance. The streets are kept clean, and the parks are highly rated."
But so many councils moan that they have had to cut front-line services, sacking essential workers and closing down much-needed public amenities - although the top layers of the bureaucracy have remained intact, safe in their plush offices, and enjoying pay rises well above what their remaining minions are getting. Council borrowings are still high, too -
"Borrowing has been slashed, with £70 m out of the £168 m total debt paid back in recent years....they cut the interest bill by cutting debt."
"They have cut the bill for office space by one third, streamlining service management...they have pooled back offices and management with Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, making substantial savings. They have cut senior management by 50%. They have done more for less, and performed better whilst being economical."
"Borrowing has been slashed, with £70 m out of the £168 m total debt paid back in recent years....they cut the interest bill by cutting debt."
"They have cut the bill for office space by one third, streamlining service management...they have pooled back offices and management with Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, making substantial savings. They have cut senior management by 50%. They have done more for less, and performed better whilst being economical."
Did you see that - "they have cut senior management by 50%"? Now imagine if not only your local council was to do the same, but also central government? Imagine the mandarinate and quangocracy pared to the bone. But instead they keep growing, and spending our money ever more lavishly - see here and also here and here too. And don't forget to look here either, and here...plus here and here as well. I'm sure that I'm not alone in calling for the geniuses of Hammersmith and Fulham to be given a "roving commission" to put this country back on its feet!
Used to live down that way, well almost - Stamford Bridge.
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