London Council Tax rise ‘half national average’

Councils in the capital have delivered an average Council Tax rise of 1.2 percent, less than half the national figure, according to figures released today by London Councils. The body says London’s local authorities have delivered over £376 million of efficiency savings, exceeding the target set for them by central government by almost £100 million.

Where have all the powers gone?

“More local powers”. The cry goes up (yet again). A scattergun of ideal world “why oh why” pieces in national and London newspapers last week, made form (of a sort) by the Tories. But it can’t happen, says former London Assembly Member Damian Hockney. Not really, not in the way people are being encouraged to think it can: “Don’t the politicians and commentators know where the real powers have gone? Or is it just another cynical political exercise,” he says. “They should at least tell us when they are proposing a policy which would break the law.”

House building ’still strong in Wandsworth’

Figures published by Wandsworth Council show 1,080 new homes were completed during 2008, only 20 less than in 2007 when the housing market was at its peak. The council says developers are continuing to display confidence in the borough as a long term choice for people to set up home.

Council savings possible with smarter procurement

Councils could make greater savings and give council tax payers better value by improving their procurement processes, according to a report published yesterday. The Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review called for English councils to collectively make £4.9bn of cash saving efficiency gains with the expectation that nearly 60per cent (£2.8bn) would come from smarter procurement.

Capital has 80,000 empty homes

Figures released last week show the capital has more than 80,000 homes lying empty. The figures, released by the Empty Homes Agency, show the number increased from 80,691 to 82,327 between 2007 and 2008 despite falling the previous year.

Assembly approves Boris’s first budget

As widely expected, the London Assembly today voted to accept Boris Johnson’s first Greater London Authority Budget. Under GLA rules the budget passes unless opposition Assembly Members can muster a two thirds majority of the 25-strong Assembly against it, a mathematical impossibility given the presence of 11 Conservative AMs.

Next Page »