Whilst other councils are reducing services and closing facilities, here in Hillingdon we continue to go from strength to strength. 

Our budget for 2017/18 has once again frozen Council Tax for all of our residents for a ninth successive year and up to and including 2018/19 (twelve years in total) for those over 65 years of age. We have also, once again, declined to raise tax through the Social Care Precept for all residents. With regard to fees and charges, parking charges were again frozen for residents and other fees set at a maximum rate of 90% of the average charges of our neighbouring councils.

With more Green Flags for our parks and open spaces than any other council in the UK, every one of our 17 libraries not only kept open but rebuilt or refurbished, record levels of investment in roads, schools and sports and leisure facilities, a programme of support for our older residents and a free to use weekly refuse and recycling service that is the envy of residents in other local authorities, Hillingdon continues to be one of the best councils in the country.

Going forward we will build a new theatre, a borough museum, a visitor and education centre at the Battle of Britain Bunker. We will continue to invest in youth facilities, our town centres and in energy saving lighting in every one of the boroughs’ lamp columns whilst continuing our ongoing programme of environmental improvements.

Through a combination of sound financial management and good business practice; we have also built up a record level of cash reserves to assist us through the tough financial challenges that are still ahead of us.

Politicians will always make promises but in Hillingdon the Conservative Administration have a demonstrable record of delivery matched by no other party. It is easy to whinge and whine but it takes a managed, well structured and financially competent administration to actually deliver.