Wandsworth Pledges To Seek Ways To Curb Spending

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following increase in government funding for next year of just 1.75%

The council has pledged today that they will continue to seek new ways of curbing spending to make up for a fresh shortfall in government grant.

Wandsworth learnt today that it would receive a 1.75 per cent increase on current funding. The money is used to pay for key services like social care for the elderly and support for young people.

The uplift is the lowest possible under the local government finance settlement. It is below inflation which is currently running at 4.75 per cent. Today's finance settlement left 24 of London's 33 boroughs with the minimum increase.

Wandsworth residents currently pay the lowest council tax bills in the UK. Council leader Edward Lister said the recession would put extra pressure on some of the most vital council services:

"In an economic crisis the last thing people want is higher taxes. We will be doing our very best to make good the shortfall in government grant so that we can keep bills down.

"Thanks to the actions we have taken the council is virtually free of debt. Everyone knows that high levels of public borrowing have to be paid for by the taxpayer.  Over the years the combined value of all the savings we have made comes to around £200m a year. That's £200m that we would otherwise have to find from local tax payers.

"It's inevitable in a recession that services in some areas will be stretched. Today's settlement will make our job that much harder."

Wandsworth is recognised by the Audit Commission as a four star council which provides 'responsive, high-quality services at the lowest possible cost.'

A Band D council tax in Wandsworth, including the Mayor's precept, is £682. All but three London councils charge more than £1,000.

Find out more about council tax levels in Wandsworth at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/counciltax

November 28, 2008