Newham Council set to freeze council tax for ninth year
Councillors met with healthcare professionals to disucss proposals to transform provision in Newham. - Credit: Archant
Plans to freeze council tax for the ninth year running have been backed by councillors.
The proposals were announced by the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, at last night’s cabinet meeting as part of the council’s 2017/18 budget, which identifies £18.8 million in savings and other efficiencies for the financial year.
He announced that he had elected not to increase the two per cent adult care precept which was added to bills last year, despite Government permitting a raise of 2.99pc.
Sir Robin said: “In last year’s budget I pledged that there would be no cuts to the council’s frontline services, and I am continuing that commitment.
“Instead, we will make the savings required through back office efficiencies, by transforming the way we deliver services and through a sensible investment strategy.
“We have balanced the books while continuing to deliver for our residents.”
The budget, which will need to be approved at a full council meeting on Monday, February 27, before being implemented, will allow the council to continue investing in its Every Child programme as well as services including waste collection and housing repairs.
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The freezing of council tax involve only Newham Council’s share of the bill.
The Greater London Authority is proposing an increase of 1.5 per cent to its portion, meaning residents in Band D properties will see an increase of £4.02. So far, Newham and Hammersmith and Fulham are the only London boroughs to announce they are freezing council tax.
