Today Mary Macleod MP, Member of Parliament for Brentford & Isleworth, joined Leader of the Council Cllr Jagdish Sharma, Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Ruth Cadbury, Director of Finance, Stephen Fitzgerald and Cllr Mark Bowen in a meeting with the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Minister for Housing and Local Government, to discuss future funding for Hounslow Council.
The Minister for Housing and Local Government acknowledged the challenges faced by Hounslow Council in managing their budgets, particularly given that the previous Conservative-led Council had already implemented significant cuts and a freeze on Council Tax for the last four years. However, he believes there is still scope for cuts by stopping some activities that are no longer required and by looking at new ways to save money, for example by sharing services with other Boroughs.
Mary Macleod MP said: “I’m pleased that Hounslow Council has opened up its budget proposals to a public consultation and I encourage local residents to give their feedback and suggestions on how these proposals can be achieved.
“It’s important that this process is seen not just as a cost-cutting exercise but as an opportunity to fundamentally review all aspects of the services provided by the Council.
“We need to find creative ways of addressing this challenge, by joining forces with other Boroughs and looking at other ways to reduce the cost of services provided – not just cut them altogether or increase the charges for services provided to local residents.”