TAXPAYERS in Hillingdon look set to receive a well timed boost as the local authority has received the funding which should mean no rise in Council Tax for the next two years.
Hillingdon Council has spent many months lobbying the government to fund the full costs of supporting unaccompanied asylum seeking children - even going to court to get what it felt it was due.
That persistence paid off in spades as the council has just learnt it is to receive £4 million to put towards the cost of caring for the 1,000 or so unaccompanied asylum-seeking children coming to the borough through Heathrow Airport.
Using the airport as a key part of its argument for being considered a special case the council even took legal action; spending £63,000 in the process and attending many meetings with ministers and in the House of Lords.
Councillor Ray Puddifoot, leader of the council, was delighted and said: "All of our hard work, trying to get this money recovered so we can use it for the benefit of Hillingdon residents has finally paid off.
"We will now be able to invest this money as planned in helping to improve both the environment and services to our residents.
"Although I am delighted to have secured this commitment from the government, which covers most of the shortfall over the last year, we will continue to press the government to ensure the funding is agreed for the current and future years.
"This will allow us to set a zero increase in council tax for the next two years, allowing us to help our residents financially at what is a difficult time for all of us.
"I would like to thank council staff, my cabinet colleagues, our three local MPs and Councillor Anthony Way, leader of the Labour group for their consistent and demonstrable support.
"Above all I would like to thank the residents of Hillingdon who have never lost faith and confidence in us to secure this funding on their behalf."
