9 Feb 2009
What started in 2008 with far away banks and home losses in America has become a financial turmoil racing around the world and causing recession here in Britain. Lives will change as jobs and savings are swept away.
The credit crunch and recession will affect our budgets at the council in the same way as households. As people’s personal circumstances tighten, so their ability to pay council tax or rent diminishes. Residents are likely to need more help from us. More people will need social care and help with housing through mortgage defaults and home repossessions.
We will work closely with anyone who is finding it hard to pay their council tax. People who are struggling to pay should call us as soon as they can to stop problems building up. We are here to provide help, support and advice when residents are having trouble making ends meet. An eye watering £1.8bn of council tax benefit goes uncollected each year in this country, meaning that millions of people are simply not receiving the cash that they're eligible for.
As your council, we will not shirk our own responsibilities. We must focus even more on helping residents and businesses through these difficult times. We will not stop at merely serving communities, we but look to raise standards of service where we can.
Despite all this economic gloom and with your help, we are going to Build Pride Borough Wide and keep our ten promises to you.
We will continue to work hard to make your borough a place where people of all ages and backgrounds live happily, knowing that their council will be doing everything possible to provide high quality and affordable services.
Cllr Peter Thompson
Leader
London Borough of Hounslow
