27/08/10 - Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article

As part of Conservative plans to see Council Tax frozen, the government is bringing forward a number of measures to help make this possible.
 

Firstly, we have increased flexibility for councils by freeing up the ring-fencing of local authority budgets. As a first stage, we’re targeting £1.2 billion which will give councils the power and discretion to focus their resources on frontline services. It is essential that Swindon Council continues to review their priorities, which can now be set by local residents and not some remote politician or quango. If residents don’t want it, why bother?

Secondly, we are making both Government and Council expenditure more transparent. In the case of Swindon Council, all expenditure over £500 will have to be published from January and the salaries of the top managers made public. This will allow local residents to fully scrutinise expenditure. Huge amounts of work have been carried out by the Council in recent years to stamp out waste and mismanagement, helping identify £45m worth of efficiency savings. However, as with any large organisation, there will still be plenty more examples which residents can help root out. Yesterday’s Adver reported a disappointing response to the first phase of public consultation, so I would urge everyone to get involved from now on. Swindon Council should embrace this as an opportunity and I have suggested that they set up a ‘Star Chamber’ so that every suggestion made by local residents is given full consideration. Those judged to be of merit should be taken immediately to the Cabinet for action. As well as the public, staff right through the organisation should be offered incentives to identify waste and find savings.
 

Thirdly, where the Council is investing capital money – spending real cash on particular projects – they should be seeking opportunities to either generate revenue or help to deliver services more efficiently. In particular, areas such as Adult Social Services, where there are huge cost pressures and we have seen investment in the frontline, the service has both improved and become more efficient.

And finally, we have pledged new financial incentives for councils where new homes are built. This will be the equivalent of six years worth of Council Tax revenue per house, which the Council can then use to either keep down Council Tax or invest in services and facilities. In the case of Swindon this has huge potential as we continue to be a growing town. Having been the Councillor for the Abbey Meads ward for 10 years, I certainly would have welcomed this additional funding for all the new houses.

I will continue to do all I can to support both fellow local residents and Swindon Council to deliver low Council Tax.