Mayor's tax freeze 'good for economy'
Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister comments
Wandsworth residents have for many years enjoyed the lowest council tax bills in the country. But since 2000 the GLA precept, which the council has to collect, has risen by 152 per cent.
This means that in the current year Wandsworth charges £372 for a typical Band D property. The Mayor's bill is another £310 making a total of £682.
Even with the GLA precept Wandsworth's bills are lower than for any other council in the UK.
Cllr Lister said: "Over the years we have made cumulative savings worth the equivalent of more than £200m a year.
"This, combined with an aversion to debt, is the reason why Wandsworth bills remain the lowest in the country. The Mayor now seems to be following the Wandsworth way with an announcement in his first year of office of £7m worth of City Hall savings.
"Recession or no recession Wandsworth Council would be protecting its residents and keeping its bills down. But in the current climate councils have an absolute duty to trim their spending. All too often in the past Wandsworth's own council tax freezes have been overshadowed by yet another increase in the GLA's bills. Now for the first time since it was established we have a City Hall administration that shares our value for money philosophy."
Wandsworth will announce its own council tax bills for 2009/21010 on February 20. To find out how much you pay in Wandsworth visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/counciltax
December 19, 2008
