Ealing Council this week agreed the budget for 2008/9, which included an investment package worth £20 million and a modest rise in Council Tax.

Of the £20 million package:

£7.5 million will be spent on resurfacing the roads and pavements, the largest amount spent in a decade. Last years spent was £3.5million.

£9 million investment for town centre regeneration in the borough, including £2million to improve Southall town centre.

£3.6 million for the creation of a "Heritage Quarter" in Ealing, including £2.3million for the restoration of Pitzhanger Manor House and Gallery.

There were £2m of cuts in adult social services which deal with the most vulnerable people in the community.

Council Leader Jason Stacey said: “Last year our focus was on getting the basics right. We’re continuing that work, but now we’re taking the next step towards making Ealing one of London’s best boroughs. It’s great that through sound financial management we’re able to invest so much new money, while keeping the borough’s Council Tax increase to just 1.9%.”

Most of the money for the £20 million investment package came from the sale of council assets, like the land behind the Town Hall and buildings in Southall.

Would you have preferred to see the council spending more money on tackling problems on the streets such as anti-social behaviour and crime rather than spending it on heritage lampposts?"