Mayor 'freezes'
Council Tax
Mayor Sir Robin Wales has again
sealed Newham Council's commitment to help residents through the
economic downturn.
In his budget plans approved by the council's Cabinet
on Thursday (December 17), people will not be asked for a penny
more in Council Tax for the second year running.
The Mayor said: "I have always said that we will keep Council Tax
as low as possible. Newham already has the lowest rate in outer
London. I promised we will not charge people a penny more and I
intend to keep that promise.
"It's not fair that residents should be hit with a tax hike when
times are tough. The council could have upped the tax like others
surely will, but in Newham people come first. Many work hard for
low wages and have families to support. We stand up for those who
try their best."
The council is continuing with a savings programme to make sure it
offers services that are value for money and are being spent in
areas residents say are the most important.
Savings of more than £30 million have been identified in the next
financial year by stopping activities that no longer serve
residents' needs. An extra £9 million is set to be spent on
improving and expanding the services people want, notably cleaner
and safer streets.
The Mayor's budget reveals spending of £370.2 million during the
2010/11 financial year. Around £70.5 million will be funded through
Council Tax with the bulk of the rest from various Government
grants.
The zero per cent increase would mean properties in Band D
continuing to pay £945.63 to cover the Newham element of Council
Tax. Any precept levied by London Mayor Boris Johnson's Greater
London Authority to cover Newham's contribution to services like
police, fire and transport, would need to be added.
The budget will be considered by the full council in
February.