Mayor's News - February 2009
In these tough economic times residents have very real concerns about making ends meet, having somewhere decent to live, and for their own and their children’s future prospects. But people need more than sympathetic words from me; they want to see positive action not only to help them through the current difficulties, but to ensure that the positive changes that have been happening in the borough do not grind to a halt.
One of the most direct ways that councils can help local people is to provide the services they rely on without increasing costs. So, this year, I have proposed that once again there should be no increase to Hackney’s element of the council tax. This makes it the fourth year running that Hackney has kept its Council Tax on hold – the only authority in the country to achieve this. However, that doesn’t mean cuts in services – due to its strong financial standing and some of the highest efficiency savings in the country, the Council can continue to invest in the services that local people say matter most while still holding Council Tax at 2005 levels.
There is also good news for thousands of Council tenants following the successful Audit Commission inspection of Hackney Homes, the Council’s housing management organisation, giving it a higher two-star rating. This rating brings an additional £225 million of government funding so that the improvements to the Council’s housing stock can step up a gear. The extra money will be used to refurbish kitchens and bathrooms in 7,000 properties across the borough, giving tenants comfortable, modern facilities inside their homes. This is on top of the £190 million that the Council and Hackney Homes has already invested to fit over 10,000 new windows, replace over 5,000 new roofs and install over 5,000 secure doors to make people feel more secure as well as improving energy efficiency.
There was a brighter picture for future job prospects in the borough too, following the government’s announcement of a further £135 million for the 2012 media centre to be built as permanent structures in Hackney Wick with flexibility to allow for job opportunities after the Games. From the beginning I have said that although the Games are likely to be good for Britain and British support, it would be mine and the Council’s job to fight for benefits for Hackney, they would not come automatically. Our campaigning and lobbying has paid off, with the media centre providing much needed employment space in the borough after the Games which will allow for the expansion of the digital, media and creative industries that are thriving in the east end of London.
As well as local businesses, leading media companies have also expressed strong interest in moving to the centres in legacy and in doing so would bring many opportunities for local people, from training and apprenticeships to employment in the supporting industries that would be needed, such as catering – another Hackney strength. While the government’s announcement is a big step forward, much of this is still to be fought for and I will continue to use every opportunity to press Olympic decision makers for the best outcome possible for Hackney.
Mayor Jules Pipe
Previous newsletters are available as pdfs to download on the right of this page.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
.