Last night (23 February 2006) at a full council meeting Islington Council set its council tax for 2006/07.
Including the Greater London Authority precept, Band D properties will increase by less than 70p a week to £1,190.60 from £1,156.61 - a rise of £33.99 or 2.94%.
This year, the council has frozen the contribution that pays for council services. There is no increase. This has ensured that the rise in council tax is lower than last year. However, the Mayor of London has increased his share of the council tax bill by £33.99 (band D) a year, which includes £20 (band D) contributed through every London council tax bill towards the cost of the London Olympics in 2012.
The Mayor of London and his Olympic charge are examples of where the council collects money for other organisations. This year, while the council has not increased council tax bills by a penny, the Mayor has increased his share by almost 5.5%. This explains the rise in council tax bills. However Islington’s council tax is still below the London average, and has been for the last four years.
Steve Hitchins, Leader of Islington Council, said: “We’ve done our best to listen to the views of residents by freezing the contribution that pays for council services. While bills are still going up due to the charges levied by other organisations, our priority is to ensure you get the most for your money.
“That’s why we are focusing on the key issues that you’ve said matter to you – new schools and massively improved lifelong learning facilities, cracking down on crime by helping to provide 42 extra police and community support officers under the ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ scheme. And we are determined to keep the streets clean by collecting rubbish on bank holidays too.”
The council’s decision not to increase the amount it requests of residents reflects the wishes of the community.
Results of a public consultation on the council’s 2006/07 budget plans showed lower support for council tax increases than a year earlier.
Residents and business owners were asked their views on how the council spends their money.
Of those questioned, 40% were in favour of reducing the levels of some services to keep any council tax increase to a minimum, up from 36% last year.
COUNCIL TAX BAND 2006/07 2005/06
A 793.74 771.08
B 926.02 899.59
C 1,058.31 1,028.10
D 1,190.60 1,156.61
E 1,455.18 1,413.63
F 1,719.75 1,670.65
G 1,984.34 1,927.69
H 2,381.20 2,313.22
ends
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008