London,
13
November
2011
|
23:00
Europe/London

Hackney Council s Governance and Resources examined

A meeting to discuss how Hackney Council’s finances are handled is to take place on Wednesday (November 16).

The meeting has been set up by Hackney’s Governance and Resources Scrutiny Commission. This cross-party group of councillors’ remit is to focus on services such as finance, information and communications technology, human resources, and legal services. Evidence is often sought from other boroughs in order to examine how effectively the Council is run, and ensure that public is getting value for money from services.

Among the issues to be discussed will be Government proposals to localise Council Tax benefit, the Council’s current financial position and work being done to identify budget savings for next year.

Councillors will also examine how the Council sets it fees and charges, in order to make sure there is a clear rationale for any changes in price, and for introducing any new fees or charges. The Council applies fees and charges to various services which range from pest control, hiring a football pitch, running a market stall, or collecting commercial waste.

Cllr Robert Chapman, Chair of the Governance and Finances Scrutiny Commission said: “Council finances are being put under pressure like never before, and it’s vitally important that those in the driving seat deciding how the borough’s money is spent are accountable and transparent in their actions.”

The meeting takes place on Wednesday 16 November, 7pm, Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, London E8 1EA. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings to listen to the debate. For more information about Overview and Scrutiny at Hackney Council, please visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/scrutiny.htm