Annual Report 2008

Foreword by Jules Pipe Mayor of Hackney

As a Council we have made big steps forward over the past year. The independent Audit Commission has judged that not only are we now a 3-star (out of 4) Council, but also that we are ‘improving strongly’.

This is a fantastic achievement considering our position only a few years ago. For the sixth year running we were able to produce a balanced budget, allowing us to invest in the areas that are important to residents: doubling the number of teams tackling graffiti and fly-posting; additional cleaning rounds for our town centres and providing more for young people to do.

Because the Council is being run more efficiently we have been able to make this investment without raising Council Tax, for the third year running. 20 of the 33 London boroughs now charge higher Council Tax than Hackney – a big improvement from being 4th highest in 2002.

I am well aware that there is still more to do. This Annual Report therefore gives details of where investment is planned for the next 12 months and sets out some of the Council’s achievements over the last financial year.

I hope you find this useful in showing just some of the ways the Council is working to make Hackney a better place.

Jules Pipe
Mayor of Hackney

Back to top

Page updated: 1 Jul 2008