An award for the consultancy firm which saved Hounslow Council £53 million has sparked fury among opposition leaders, who claim needy residents will end up paying the price.
KPMG scooped the awkwardly titled 'most outstanding practice in generating increased client revenue' gong at last week's Institute for Business Consulting Awards.
The firm was hailed for slashing £53 million from the council's budget over three years, allowing the Tory-led administration to freeze council tax for a third successive year.
But Labour's deputy leader Ruth Cadbury claimed the award was an insult to the 300 people who have lost their jobs as part of the 'cuts' and the many residents she fears will suffer as a result.
"KPMG has achieved what it was asked to do in terms of making savings, but if you were measuring the benefit to the people affected I don't think it would have won the award," she said.
"We're concerned these cuts will mean people are waiting longer for the phone to be answered and may not get the support, care and advice they need."
Council leader Peter Thompson claimed the Performance Improvement Programme (PiP), under which 449 posts will go by 2010, would help improve services by cutting management and administration costs.
"This will mean we become more efficient in the way we work, ensure we reduce costs for the taxpayer and provide the best possible services to the local community," he said.
"We don't exist as a council to employ people, but to deliver services, and I'm delighted these awards have recognised this is the way forward for local councils."
Jonathan Guppy, partner at KPMG's public sector practice, described Hounslow as a 'model' for how the public sector can spend 'less on managing itself and more on delivering to its residents.'
