Refunds planned for poor services

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Council tax payers should get refunds of up to £100 if services are below standard, the government has said.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears outlined plans for "community contracts", guaranteeing minimum quality levels for residents.

She said local people were "best placed" to come up with ideas to improve services, such as bin collections and street cleaning.

Community contracts are to be piloted in 12 areas across England.

They are voluntary agreements between councils and local people, who between them will set minimum standards.

'Improved'

If these are not met, there will be "redress", in the form of council tax refunds of up to £100, or - in the worst cases - reducing the cost of services.

In return for guarantees, people would be obliged to report anti-social behaviour and even manage some council tasks, such as maintaining grass verges.

In a speech to the New Local Government Network, Ms Blears said: "There isn't a single service or development in Britain which hasn't been improved by actively involving local people who are best placed to spot problems and come up with ideas to solve them, whether it's tackling anti-social behaviour or litter, or providing more services at a time people want them.

"Charters or so-called 'community contracts' will help councils, police and health authorities and local people to work together in tackling the issues that matter, improving their local neighbourhoods and improve public satisfaction."

Ms Blears added: "People rightly expect a good standard of service and redress when things go wrong.

"When trains are delayed they know they are entitled to refunds or compensation.

"Improving transparency for other public services on a similar scale will not only improve standards but will also increase confidence in local democracy."

The 12 areas piloting the scheme are: Sunderland, Gateshead, Barnsley, Oldham, Lewisham, King's Lynn, Blyth, Kirklees, Brighton, Manton, Kidderminster and London's South Bank.