Top 20 achievements

TOP 20 ACHIEVEMENTS

TACKLING THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS

• Allocated and distributed nearly £10million in cost-of-living support to residents.
• Froze Council Tax for ALL residents in year 1, and then introduced Council Tax Cost-of-Living Relief Fund for all residents earning under £50,350.
• No more having to choose between heating and eating. Provided Winter Fuel Payment of £175 to over 4,000 pensioners as well as a new £1million a year Meals on Wheels service.

HOMES FOR THE FUTURE

• 22,000 formerly -THH properties brought back in-house.
• On track to deliver 4000 affordable housing.

ACCELERATE EDUCATION

• Continuous provision of Universal Free School Meals for all primary (£2m) and secondary school children (£3.7m) saving the average family with 3 children £550 a year.
• Introduced £1,500 University Bursary for 400 students in year 1; increased it to 800 students in year 2.
• Brought back EMA at £400 per year for 1,200 students in year 1; increased it to £600 in year 2.
• Provided free schools uniforms for 7,000 starters per year – reception and year 7 starters.
• £13.7m per year invested in youth services, including one youth centre in all 20 wards.

EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT CRIME

• Invested £4m to upgrade and install 350 CCTV cameras.
• Invested £2.9million to recruit an additional 41 enforcement officers to protect the public – a total of 73 THEOs.
• A new Tackling Drugs Taskforce – a £1.5million investment over 3 years.

A CLEAN AND GREEN FUTURE

• £15m of additional investment into the waste service – including 72 additional frontline staff.
• Planted approximately 3,000 trees.

INVEST IN PUBLIC SERVICES

• £4.5m for local voluntary and community sector through Mayor’s Community Grants.
• £4.9m a year for a new free homecare service for vulnerable adults.

BOOST CULTURE, BUSINESS, JOBS & LEISURE

• 248k free swimming and aquatic sessions for women and girls (16+) and men (55+) £40 million invested in leisure facilities, including bringing leisure services under Council management. Additionally, £67million is being invested in a new state of the art leisure facility in St George’s, including family-size council homes.
• One hour free parking to help market traders. Introduction of the Permit Transfer Scheme (PTS) to help those moving into two bed properties and above.

A COUNCIL THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE

• New Town Hall opened in Whitechapel – the beating heart of the borough. Saving £16m each year.