LibDems secure new start for Redbridge -Tories agree to consider Council Tax freeze for next year

11.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th May 2009

Liberal Democrats have secured agreement to a wide-ranging review of Redbridge Council policy and management as part of a deal which recognises that, as by far the largest political group, the Conservatives continue as a minority administration.

Under the agreement the Council will:

· seek to keep the Council Tax as low as possible next year and ideally achieve a freeze (as was proposed unsuccessfully by LibDem Councillors for this year);

· urgently review its plan for addressing the shortage in school places;

· review its parking charges and freeze resident and business permits fees next year;

· ensure that spending on publicity and communication is prudent and cost effective;

· review the major regeneration and leisure projects and identify affordable ways forward; and

· review library coverage and identify ways to meet any shortfall in provision.

The Council's administration has also accepted that:

· the scrutiny process will be led jointly by opposition councillors;

· future Mayors should be appointed irrespective of political party and based on merit; and

· conventions will be agreed to ensure that all the political groups have equal access to information and are properly involved in Council decision-making.

LibDem Group Leader Councillor Hugh Cleaver said: "I am pleased that we have been able to resolve the leadership crisis and win commitments to changes that will benefit the Borough. Since 2006 Redbridge residents have paid the fourth highest Council Tax increase in London whilst the Council has been fruitlessly pursuing a whole range of pet projects and refusing to involve any opposition councillors in managing any Council business. LibDem Councillors have taken the opportunity presented by the current impasse to force a wholesale change in direction, which we hope will benefit local people through a much lower tax increase next year."