9.1 NATIONAL & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Members of Parliament and Surgeries
Camden: Rt.Hon. Frank Dobson MP, House of Commons, SW1. 219 4452. Fax 219 6956.
Advice surgeries: Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, NW1. The first and third Fri of each month at 7pm, and at Camden Labour Centre, 8 Camden Road, NW1 on the first and third Sat of each month at 11am.
Westminster: Rt.Hon. Peter Brooke MP, House of Commons, SW1. 219 5041.
Surgeries: Conservative Constituency Office, 90 Ebury Street, SW1. Fortnightly on Fri afternoons at 4.30pm, by appointment only - 730 8181.
European MP: Stan Newens. Basement Office, 92 Ladbroke Grove, W11. 221 0092. Fax: 792 3691. Labour and Co-operative Party Member of the European Parliament for the London Central Constituency, including Covent Garden. Spokesperson for European Parliamentary Labour Party on Foreign Affairs and a member of the Human Rights Committee and Development Committee. Surgeries by appointment only.
9.2 WARD COUNCILLORS & SURGERIES
CAMDEN: Bloomsbury Ward, Patricia Callaghan, Nirmal Roy, Jake Turnbull
c/o Camden Town Hall, Euston Road, NW1. 860 5625.
SURGERIES Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre 39 Tottenham Street, W1. First Fri each month, 6.30-7.30pm.
Covent Garden Community Association 21 Macklin Street. Last Fri each month, 6.30-7.30pm.
WESTMINSTER: St James's Ward, Louise Hyams, Alexander Nicoll
c/o Westminster City Council, City Hall, Victoria Street, SW1. 641 2322.
SURGERIES:
Citizen's Advice Bureau 15 Henrietta Street. 379 6595. First Fri each month, 6.30-7.30pm.
9.3 VOTING INFORMATION
British and Commonwealth citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote at local and central government and European elections.
E.U. citizens are also entitled to vote in local and European elections in the UK.
To ensure you receive notification of voting details check that your name is on the local electoral register: If you are eligible to vote, but away from home at the time of an election, you can arrange a postal vote. Telephone your local electoral office below for an application form.
Camden Electoral Services Office Room 11, Ground Floor, Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1. 413 6000.
Westminster Electoral Registration Officer City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, SW1. 641 2730.
To stand for election apply to the electoral office. To be eligible for election as a local councillor your name must be on the local electoral register. Ten persons (on the electoral register) must support you, including one proposer and one seconder.
Certificate of UK Residence This can save import tax on household furniture exported or provide confirmation of residence if getting married abroad. Apply to the above offices.
9.4 COUNCIL TAX
Council tax is payable by the occupier of residential property except if a house is classified as a Home in Multiple Occupation, when the landlord is liable for payment. The amount is based on the value or 'banding' of the property as assessed by the Inland Revenue's District Valuer. You may pay reduced council tax if you are: a sole occupant, the property is empty, you are in hospital or in a residential home.
For information on the Council Tax on your property or to claim a rebate, contact:
CAMDEN:
Finance Department, The Town Hall, Argyle Street London WC1H 8NG. 413 6467.
WESTMINSTER:
Council Tax Department, 64 Victoria Street, SW1. 641 3380. Hotline: 641 3370.
If you wish the Valuation Officer to review an assessment, contact:
The Valuation Office Agency London Support Unit, Ramdsden House, New Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 2UU. 0345 089117.
If you wish to appeal against an assessment, you must first notify the Council in writing. The valuation will be reviewed. If you are still dissatisfied, contact:
Camden Valuation Tribunal 242 6606.
Westminster Valuation Tribunal 497 1757.
9.5 COUNCIL SECRETARIAT
As a resident, you may be able to make representations in person at a committee meeting. If you wish to do so or need other information, telephone:
Camden Committee Services 860 5642.
Westminster Members Secretariat 641 2895.
The Committee Services Dept. will supply the names of the Chair, members and Clerk of each committee, when they meet and of decisions taken. Minutes are available on request.
9.6 OMBUDSMAN & DISTRICT AUDITOR
The Local Government Ombudsman is an independent and impartial official appointed to investigate complaints of maladministration against public authorities. Maladministration includes: failure to adopt and implement agreed policies, rules and proper procedures, neglect and unjustified delay, actions motivated by malice, bias or unfair discrimination, failure to tell people of their rights, failure to provide advice or information when reasonably requested, providing inaccurate or misleading advice. Hearings are confidential and free of charge. The Ombudsman can order the provision of information and disclosure of documents for investigation. In cases of injustice the Ombudsman will suggest remedies. The Authority must be given an opportunity to rectify the problem before a complaint is submitted to the Ombudsman. The CGCA will supply copies of the relevant forms.
The Local Government Ombudsmen covering Covent Garden can be contacted at
21 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9BU. 915 3210.
Complaints about central government administration must be made through your Member of Parliament. Contact: The Parliamentary Commissioner, Church House, Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BW. 276 2130
District Auditor:
The District Auditor audits local authority accounts to ensure proper financial administration:
Camden District Auditor Service, 4th floor, Millbank Tower, SW1P. 233 6400.
Westminster District Auditor Service Price Waterhouse, 1 London Bridge, SE1 9QL. 939 3000.
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