Clean and crime-free streets are top priority

MAKING sure neighbourhoods are kept clean and free from crime and anti-social behaviour remain the top priorities for residents of the Borough.

This was one of the major findings to emerge from the extensive "What Matters Most to You?" survey, which the Lib Dem led Borough Council carried out this autumn.

Residents were asked what makes Hinckley and Bosworth a good place to live and work, and what priorities the council should concentrate on during the next five years.

Top of the list was the wish to see streets and open spaces kept clean, free of litter and dog fouling, and the prosecution of people who drop litter.

This was closely followed by the desire to see a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour, so that people of all ages feel safer.

In addition, residents also gave strong support to the following priorities:

• Providing support and facilities for older and vulnerable people - allowing them to live independent lives and play an active role in the community.

• Minimising our impact on the environment - by reducing waste going to landfill, encouraging people to recycle and reducing our CO2 emissions in the Borough.

• Maintaining jobs, improving skills, increasing wage levels and promoting opportunities for employment - by increasing growth in a range of business types and supporting skills training.

Residents also made it clear that all council services should represent "value for money".

Residents were also asked about next year's Council Tax and the majority opted for a two per cent increase, which would enable services to stay the same. However, there was strong support for a five per cent increase (allowing some services to be increased), but only limited support for no increase at all in Council Tax (which would mean a cut in services).

These findings will be taken into account when the council sets next year's tax levels.

Councillor Stuart Bray (Lib Dem Hinckley Castle) said: "Listening to the views of local people is the most important thing the council must do, after all we are there to serve the people of the Borough.

"For the past few years Lib Dem councillors have had amongst our top priorities tackling anti-social behaviour and making sure our neighbourhoods are clean and tidy. We have made great progress with both of these and this has been recognised by us winning several prestigious national awards in these areas.

"I am naturally delighted, therefore, that local people have endorsed what we are trying to achieve. We will look very carefully at all the comments received in the survey and ensure that our priorities match those of the public. If people have further comments they wish to make about the council's services I would be only to happy to read them."

You can email Cllr Stuart Bray at: stuart.bray@libdems.org.uk