Residents in Islington will continue paying considerably less council tax than most others in the Capital - despite helping to fund record council investment in new schools, housing, road improvements and leisure facilities. <br><br>The council's Executive is proposing that the basic increase to the council tax for 2008/9 should be just 2.5 per cent, well below inflation (currently 4.1 per cent) and well below the expected national average increase in council tax which is estimated by Local Government Association (LGA) at four per cent. <br><br>If the plans are agreed at Full Council next Thursday, Islington residents living in a Band D property will pay £85 less council tax a year than their counterparts in Camden, and more than £200 less than their neighbours in Haringey.<br><br>Cllr Andrew Cornwell, Islington Council's Executive Member for Finance, said: "We know residents want good services - but understandably they want them at the best possible price. So I'm delighted that once again we're able to deliver one of the lowest council tax increases in London, while pledging £540million over the next three years to build new schools, housing and leisure centres. <br><br>"We're in a position to do this because we've managed our money carefully in recent years, and listened to residents about the services they think are really important for us to fund. This means we can now afford to pay for the major projects local people want and deserve, without them feeling the effect in their council tax bills."<br><br>The proposal for this year's council tax is set out in a report, published today on www.islington.gov.uk for discussion at next Thursday's meetings of the Executive and Full Council (28 February).<br> <br>The council's £20 direct debit discount for council tax has been a huge success with over 5,000 new residents signing up, meaning 37,600 Islington residents are benefitting from the discount. <br> <br>Cllr Andrew Cornwell, Islington Council's Executive Member for Finance, said: "We are extending the £20 direct debit discount for the next three years, so residents can save £60 on their council tax bills over that period. <br><br>"This award-winning scheme has also reduced the council's admin costs and increased the overall amount of council Tax collected - a 'win win' situation.<br><br>"We are also extending the discount to anyone who pays off their council tax bill in one lump sum - to qualify, bills must be paid in full by the end of April."<br><br>Residents will once again have the option of donating their discount into the council's pioneering Climate Change Fund, which is made up fo £3million from the council, plus donations from residents. Last year 1,208 residents opted to do this.<br><br>Among the 30 local projects funded to date by the Climate Change Fund are solar panels at three primary schools and at Highbury Pool, a wind turbine at the Market Road tennis centre and ground source heat pumps at the Mayville Community Centre.
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009