RBKC Direct: On the battle for planning powers, the Council's bid to save small shops, recent inspection results and council tax.

Kensington and Chelsea Council believes that local authorities should have the right to decide local planning applications while Ken Livingstone would like to add these important responsibilities to his ever-increasing portfolio. The Council argues that a transfer of power away from town halls would deprive local communities of their voice on key topics affecting their neighbourhood.

An independent commission has been set up by the Council in an attempt to preserve the character of the borough’s unique shopping areas. The commission will examine how large chain stores and small local shops can operate side by side and is interested to hear your comments on this pressing matter.

Borough residents are receiving the very best services in the country according to the Audit Commission, which has awarded the Council the best possible rating in its Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) test of how councils perform. This is the fifth year in a row that the Council has achieved the highest rating, despite the Commission raising the performance bar each year. Read this article for more details.

Council tax in Kensington and Chelsea has been frozen for the second year running, meaning that residents are paying one of the lowest rates in the country. This news comes despite the fact that the Council has embarked on a multi-million capital investment project that includes major school projects.