Value for money

For the second year running, Ealing Council will keep its council tax rise down to 1.9% in 2008/2009.

In 2007/2008 Ealing’s council tax increase was almost half that of the outer London average of 3.73%, was significantly lower than the overall 3.12% average across the capital and also compared very favourably with our neighbouring boroughs. (Source: www.londoncouncils.gov.uk)

Despite the low rise, we were still able to pump over £10 million towards helping deliver two of our top priorities, cleaner streets and safer communities.

We delivered on our other main priority, value for money services, by saving £22 million through making our departments more efficient. This proved a strong base from which to build in the coming year and has allowed us to limit council tax to consecutive 1.9% increases.

Allotments
Childcare
Community centres
Council's statement of accounts
Council tax
Direct payments
Freedom pass
Hall hire
Handyperson scheme
Libraries
Mobile meals
Parks
Schools
Scrutiny
Sports

What you’ll get for your money in 2008/2009

A deep clean of our streets with highpower jet washers, fridges and freezers being taken away free of charge from June 2008 and reusable sacks provided to collect plastic bottles for weekly collections.
An exciting, multi-million-pound revamp of our town centres.
A raft of measures to keep up the progress that saw Ealing have one of London’s fastest
dropping crime rates in 2007.
Work to improve the borough’s transport links and more investment in resurfacing and renewing our roads and pavements.
More spending to improve school facilities to maintain the success that saw pupils achieve their
best ever GCSE and A-level results this year (2007?).
Over £2 million to boost facilities for the disabled as we seek to maintain the extraordinary progress which saw us rise from the bottom of the government’s ratings for adults social care services to the top.
An innovative Heritage Quarter project to showcase Ealing’s cultural history – including a major revamp of the Pitzhanger Manor House and Gallery.

All of last year’s investment in street cleaning and making our communities safer has been protected and increased in the coming year’s budget, and we have been able to invest in other areas that residents tell us are important to them. This includes money to improve our parks and to develop new facilities for young people.