More residents than ever before have helped Islington Council to set it's agenda for next year by taking part in the borough-wide budget consultation.
The council carried out more than 1,000 face-to-face resident interviews, distributed 110,000 paper questionnaires via the residents magazine, and posted a survey online to find out residents' views on how the council should spend it's money in 2007/8.
And as a result the number of participants soared by almost 20 per cent from 2006 . Crime prevention (61 per cent), cleaner streets (56 per cent), and raising education standards (43 per cent) topping their list of investment priorities.
When asked what they wanted the council to do, local people backed the council's commitment to public consultation, with 73 per cent supporting investment in listening to the community and involving them in decision-making. Meanwhile 78 per cent agreed that the council should promote equal opportunities and actively support disadvantaged groups to bring different groups closer together.
Cllr James Kempton, Leader of Islington Council, said: "In the summer Islington Council pledged to listen to residents as a key priority. Six months on, we've asked local people what they want the council to spend money on and more have responded than ever before. I'm pleased that our commitment to ask the community's views, listen to them and act accordingly, has boosted confidence in local democracy in Islington.
"We've asked local people what they think should be the council's priorities for investment in 2007/8. They've told us they want the council to invest in making the borough a safer, cleaner place and raising standards of education locally. They also agree that we should support elderly people, give young residents opportunities and help protect the environment for future generations.
"We've listened to them, and we agree that all these things are important. It is now the council's job to balance all the needs of the local community as it sets the budget for next year. The pressures on local government funding are real, and as always there are difficult choices to be made. At least in here in Islington, these choices are being steered by the community itself."
The council will use the information collected from the budget consultation to help determine its areas of investment for 2007/8.
ENDS
For more information on this news release please contact Susie Rundle on 020 7527 2307
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008