A Government Minister today joined local MP Harriett Baldwin in praising Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Council during departmental question time in the House of Commons. The MP highlighted efforts made by the district council in sharing services to reduce costs and prevent council tax increases. Harriett asked Housing Minister Grant Schapps to join her in congratulating the district council for its efforts in working with other councils to keep council tax bills under control. She pointed out that at a time when so many household bills are rising she asked the Minister to send congratulations to Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council who have been working together to share service and keep council tax rates low. Harriett said: “I know that our local district councils have been working very hard to reduce as many costs as possible and be more efficient in these difficult times. “Both Wychavon and Malvern Hills have been looking at ways that they can share services with other councils and this has made a big difference to their operating budgets. There have been other examples of innovative practice as well, for example, building Pershore hospital and renting it to the NHS.” “However I think its important to recognise that council officials are working tremendously hard to deal with a very difficult financial situation and I am glad that the Government joins me in welcoming their efforts.” FULL TEXT Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): What support his Department is giving to local authorities to minimise increases in council tax. [33547] The Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant Shapps): The Government are making an extra £650 million per annum available over the next four years to help principal local authorities in England to freeze their council tax in 2011-12, and will take action against excessive increases. The Localism Bill provides for local referendums on excessive council tax rises in future years. Harriett Baldwin: At a time when so many household bills are rising, will the Minister join me in sending congratulations to Wychavon district council and Malvern Hills district council, which have worked so hard to share services and to keep council tax rises down for local residents? Grant Shapps: My hon. Friend is right. In the past week or so since the finance settlement, I have had a procession of council leaders coming to see me, usually with their chief executives, to plead that they have no money left. One came this morning, and notably brought the chief executive who is being paid £180,000. I pay tribute to those local authorities that have taken the necessary steps and are therefore able to take advantage of the council tax freeze. | Hansard