Wandsworth praised by neighbouring Council member

Botterill: “Wandsworth is proof that Conservatives deliver better services AND lower taxes”

Hammersmith & Fulham Conservative Deputy Leader, Councillor Nick Botterill, has praised neighbouring Conservative-run Wandsworth today, for being identified as the best Council in Britain by the Audit Commission – citing it as proof that Conservatives can deliver excellent services AND lower taxes.

Wandsworth is the only authority in the country to get top marks in the annual performance assessment conducted by the Audit Commission and is one of five councils awarded four stars. The others are Kent (Conservative), Kensington & Chelsea (Conservative), Shropshire (Conservative) and Derbyshire (Labour).

In addition, however, Wandsworth was the only one of this premier league to achieve top performance for the way that it used its resources – an area where Labour run Hammersmith & Fulham has fallen down.

Commenting, Councillor Botterill said: “At a time when Wandsworth is excelling and Hammersmith & Fulham is loosing stars, this is proof that the Conservative philosophy of putting residents first and delivering value for money gives better results.

“It must also not go unnoticed that the excellent services in Wandsworth are delivered on a Council Tax level that is lower than anywhere else, with an average of £571 and a Band D charge of £614. This compares to an average of £1399.30 and a Band D charge of £1158.04 in Hammersmith & Fulham!”

“Hammersmith & Fulham is getting a raw deal under Labour – with worse services and higher Council Tax levels than our neighbours. Hammersmith & Fulham Conservatives will follow Wandsworth’s successful strategy, and deliver lower taxes, less waste and better services.”

December 16, 2005