We recently ran a poll on this blog to find out what the top priorities are for residents in New Malden. Here are the results, which came from over 100 votes cast by people living in the New Malden area:

Crime/Anti social behaviour – 35%

Council Tax – 27%

New Malden High Street – 13%

Parking – 8%

Planning issues – 7%

Licensing issues – 5%

Waste collection – 3%

New Malden has had a spate of robberies in recent times and it's good news that the local police are aware and have ramped up their presence and work. The work carried out by the police in November through operation tenpin had many police officers and patrol cars in and around New Malden and we hope this sort of work continues.

Cllr Howard Jones, Leader of the Conservatives said that it's about listening to what residents want. Residents want value for money from their council tax – that is delivering exceptional services whilst also ensuring that residents don't have to experience unreasonable increases on their council tax bill each year. Conservative councillors have pledged to tackle the issues residents want addressing. We will continue to lobby Transport for London for much needed funds to repair the poor level of workmanship that was commissioned back in 2006 under the Lib Dems on the New Malden High street. We will also continue to fight to ensure that front line policing is protected across the borough and finally we'll continue to fight for quality local services whilst also achieving a fair council tax rate for all our residents.

If you think we have missed something from this let us know.

Thank you very much for posting these findings, which are very interesting. As a resident myself, I certainly feel that we are being stung for council tax, especially when I speak to friends who live in other boroughs. I just do not see why every borough can't have the same council tax which would be so much fairer. Having said that, I also think that Kingston council do a fair job (although there is always room for improvement) - I'm in London a lot and have recently been noticing things that other boroughs could do to improve certain areas which they are obviously not doing. What do others think?

I think Kingston Council do a good job considering feedback from other people. However, we do pay one of the highest council tax charges IN THE COUNTRY!

Personally, I would like to see the council invest money into catching and prosecuting people who tax-dodge or claiming things they aren't entitled too. Yes being efficient is one thing and you can keep cutting services to save money, but this only has a knock-on effect and may actually cost more money in the long run but cutting so much so quickly. Kingston council should be different to all the other local councils and look to bring in EXTRA revenue by targetting tax evaders whilst MAINTAINING existing services (especially critical services like Educations, transport, Leisure, Environment etc) and looking for efficiencies in a less aggressive way.

BUT, as we are always being told by our parents, prevention is better than cure and i stongly believe that council tax-dodging and fraud is MUCH more rife than people think and this is where the council should be concerntrating their efforts.

Incidentally and for what its worth, I believe in low taxes, small goernment and the minimal benefits, but these are purely my opinions.