A glimmer of tax hope?

You'll be pleased to know Kingston may not be in east London after all.

Puzzled? Let me explain.

In July, John Prescott published a consultation paper on reforming council grants. In it, Kingston was labelled as being in "east outer London". As a result, Jenny Tonge and I gave 10, Downing Street a map and compass.

We weren't just worried about ministers' geography knowledge. Kingston Council stood to lose millions of pounds if we remained categorised in "east outer London". Such a grant loss might lead to council tax hikes and/or services slashed. Coupled with other proposals, Kingston's worst case scenario was too appalling to contemplate.

So, working with the council, Jenny and I helped launch a campaign for a fair deal for Kingston - letters, petitions and meetings.

So what's the latest? Well, there won't be any decision for some time.

Yet at a Westminster seminar last week, I questioned a key minister, Nick Raynsford. For the first time, he confirmed Government was looking again at Kingston's problem - one we share with Merton and Sutton, boroughs also deemed as "east outer London".

It's far too early to claim "success", but at least we've got their attention.

Since Ministers now promise improved "cushions" to the whole package, the immediate pain first feared may also be reduced. Yet again, we haven't seen details - and pain delayed, is still pain council taxpayers will eventually feel.

The campaign continues.