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Londontowner asked David Hill: "Morale is pretty low in the council right now- how will you make sure it doesn't get worse against a backdrop of cuts?"
David Hill answer: "At the end of last year we participated in the Sunday Times Best Companies Workforce Survey. We've just received initial results and they do not show any significant problem of staff morale. What we actually..." Show more»" At the end of last year we participated in the Sunday Times Best Companies Workforce Survey. We've just received initial results and they do not show any significant problem of staff morale. What we actually face, as an organisation, is a time of challenge that will require us all to find new ways of doing things - so I see it as an interesting and stimulating time to work in local government.

So far, despite reductions in some funding streams we have not had to make any significant cuts in services. Indeed, by achieving efficiency savings of over £10m for 2010/11 we have been able to invest nearly £6m in new or expanded services. "Show less«
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0 comment | Topic: Local Issues | Email to friends | Mar 03 2010 10:51:34 AM
gregor asked David Hill: "Will the new road tax mean more money for public transport? why should we pay it if we don't use a car?"
David Hill answer: "I think this is a reference to the additional 0.5% increase in Council Tax that was agreed by Milton Keynes Council on 22nd February. This will all be spent on repairing potholes, which will benefit all..." Show more»" I think this is a reference to the additional 0.5% increase in Council Tax that was agreed by Milton Keynes Council on 22nd February. This will all be spent on repairing potholes, which will benefit all road users whether they are travelling by car or public transport. "Show less«
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0 comment | Topic: Local Issues | Email to friends | Mar 03 2010 10:45:15 AM
HenryWillis asked David Hill: "Dear Mr Hill, if I remember MK got a bad audit a while ago, which means that we aren't getting value for money. Will this situation help matters- the cuts I read about, I mean?"
David Hill answer: "Although Milton Keynes Council got a weak external audit assessment in 2008/09, the Audit Commission's latest 'organisational assessment' of Milton Keynes Council (in December 2009) showed real improvement..." Show more»" Although Milton Keynes Council got a weak external audit assessment in 2008/09, the Audit Commission's latest 'organisational assessment' of Milton Keynes Council (in December 2009) showed real improvement - we've moved up a whole category. And we're determined to continue that improvement.

As regards 'value for money', local residents told us in 'Place Surveys' (surveys that all local councils undertake) carried out in 2008 and 2009 that Milton Keynes Council provides good value for money. We got the 9th highest score among the 51 unitary authorities in the country. "Show less«
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0 comment | Topic: Local Issues | Email to friends | Mar 03 2010 10:42:51 AM
charter21 asked David Hill: "is this the worst time for council finances you can remember in your career? "
David Hill answer: "The financial situation at Milton Keynes Council is not as bad as some other places I have worked in the past. There are plenty of opportunities here to reshape council finances to enable us to continue..." Show more»" The financial situation at Milton Keynes Council is not as bad as some other places I have worked in the past. There are plenty of opportunities here to reshape council finances to enable us to continue to deliver good quality services. "Show less«
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0 comment | Topic: Local Issues | Email to friends | Mar 03 2010 10:37:57 AM
nearthebowl asked David Hill: "Dear Mr Hill, which is more important for Milton Keynes, being a city or making sure that there are enough social workers and carers?"
David Hill answer: "Both are important. We must obviously make sure that we have enough social workers and carers. Formal recognition as a city would create lots of opportunities for the area and help us to attract the investment..." Show more»" Both are important. We must obviously make sure that we have enough social workers and carers. Formal recognition as a city would create lots of opportunities for the area and help us to attract the investment that will maintain jobs and prosperity. "Show less«
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0 comment | Topic: Local Issues | Email to friends | Mar 03 2010 10:35:44 AM

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