They’ve done it again. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has strengthened the voice of local residents by allowing us to vote for our favourite neighborhood scheme.  It is yet another innovative idea from local Councillors that will allow residents to have a say on how their council tax money is spent.

 

Residents can vote monthly for their favourite local neighborhood scheme.  The winning scheme will then receive £2,000 of Council funding.  So far, seventeen bids have been received, ranging from church steeple repairs to Street Art.

 

It is another first for a Local Authority, and I am not surprised that the Royal Borough is renowned for its efforts to be open and accountable – winning national praise and endorsement from the Government. So we now have one of the lowest council taxes in the country, some of the highest rated services and a council that has been awarded Vanguard Community status.

 

Too often politicians talk about giving people a greater say in the running of their affairs, but then fail to deliver.  So I am delighted that Royal Borough residents are genuinely getting a greater say in how their money is spent. 

 

The Council certainly hopes that this new venture will encourage community groups and individuals to come forward with schemes that will improve our local neighbourhoods.  If you know of anyone or any group that has a good idea about how to improve your local area, please encourage them to bring it forward; then urge supporters to vote for it online.

 

I have nothing but praise for the resourcefulness of our councillors who have come up with the ideas behind this scheme; the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is proving, yet again, that local authorities can be both responsive and resourceful in the quest to improve the daily lives of residents in Windsor and the surrounding areas.