In difficult economic times, Westminster City Council has committed extra support to those living and working in Westminster.  The council's aim is to offer real value for money by doing more for less, unifying local public services such as the police and health service and empowering people to go as far as their talent and ambition allows.  The Leader of Westminster Council, Cllr Colin Barrow, sets out his vision below:

“Westminster is not immune to the effects of the recession and we understand times are hard for businesses and residents. However, in the depths of this recession we are continuing the task of building a city fit to welcome the world in 2012, and show how we can do more for less by changing the way we work.

We are running two major programmes to improve business and quality for life for residents in the city.

Our 15-point City Recovery plan, launched last year to counter the effects of the recession, includes an extra car-free day for the West End and freezing council tax for residents, paying small businesses within seven to ten days and creating the UK’s first council-run apprenticeship scheme.

In 2009, we launched our Living City programme to renew the heart of London in time for the 2012 Olympic Games and create a "living city of opportunity" for families and businesses.  New initiatives include revamping up to 400 main streets, installing 1,000 extra litter bins to keep the streets clean, tackling drugs, anti-social behaviour and unlicensed sex premises in Soho to help rid it of its red-light image, creating 1,400 apprenticeships to tackle unemployment and providing housing for the 40 most overcrowded families.

Westminster has not faced an economic challenge of the current magnitude for 30 years but I am confident these measures will bolster trade and improve residents’ lives while allowing us to press on with improving this already great city in time for the 2012 London Olympics when the eyes of the world will be upon us.”

Councillor Colin Barrow, Leader of Westminster City Council