How we will make self-sufficiency a reality

Published: 3 December, 2010

WESTMINSTER has a goal and vision of becoming self-sufficient.

The council no longer wants to be dependent upon hand-outs from central government to pay for the services it delivers for the community.

For example, by keeping a greater share of the £1.2billion in business rates we collect every year on behalf of central government we would no longer need to go cap-in-hand to ministers. Becoming self-sufficient also means that the council reduces its own bureaucracy and grip on citizens, allowing them greater freedom from red tape to make a living, raise a family and to get on with their lives without the sort of state intrusion that has become prevalent in the last decade.

In the coming weeks we will look at how to reduce this regulation. 

Proposed initiatives include making it easier for people to hold street parties and local events and conducting fewer inspections on restaurants which regularly follow hygiene laws to ease the burden on local businesses.

We also recognise that the measures that we have set out are just the start of the process of putting our own house in order by getting out of the way of community and voluntary groups, businesses and, ultimately, the citizens of Westminster.

We have a lot more to do and this is why, over the next few months, we will set out further details of how we will make self-sufficiency in Westminster a reality. 

CLLR COLIN BARROW
Leader, Westminster Council