The start of a new year is always a time of expectation, and ambition. This is as true for the City Council as it is for individuals and families across Westminster. I am writing to assure you that the City Council will do its best to ensure our neighbou

The start of a new year is always a time of expectation, and ambition.

This is as true for the City Council as it is for individuals and families across Westminster. I am writing to assure you that the City Council will do its best to ensure our neighbourhoods are safe and we create the opportunity for people and enterprise to flourish in 2008.

In March, I will announce the priorities for the third year of our One City programme. We will continue to build strong communities through excellent, value for money services. In addition to driving sustainability through Go Green, I expect housing and education to be priorities.

I would also like to assure you that we do listen and respond to your views. Small but important projects such as the SatLav texting service for public toilets and the tea dance for older residents came out of public discussions about One City. Larger projects such as our new City Academy schools and our successful Civic Watch scheme, providing guardians in every part of the city, are examples of our ability to turn your views into action.

The City Council is committed to delivering cost-effective services, and maintaining low local resident taxes. We will again set a tax rate which is among the lowest in London. We also hope to do more for businesses. By 2009, Westminster businesses will pay £1billion in rates, but only around 13p in every £1 will be returned to the City Council, to support local services. We will be lobbying government for a fair share of our business rate, to benefit the whole city.

We will be giving each ward £100,000 to spend on improving the quality of life. The UK's first Family Drug and Alcohol Court will meet in January and we will have launched a Construction Skills Centre by March.

I look forward to your continued support in 2008 and an increasingly bright future for One City.

Sir Simon Milton

Leader of Westminster Council