Wandsworth Proposing Cut in its Share of Council Tax
Says it is the only borough in London to reduce bills
Charge will rise due to increase in Mayor's portion
A meeting of Wandsworth Council on 9 March is set to consider a proposal to cut the tax residents pay to it by 1%.
This would take the Band D council tax bill for the borough to £872.55. This is higher than last year because the Mayor’s precept is rising by 8.8% meaning that it will make up £395.59 of the total. Despite the rise, borough residents continue to pay the lowest tax in the country.
A report by the borough finance director was endorsed at an Executive meeting on 28 February and looks set to be endorsed by the full council.
Ravi Govindia, Leader of the council said that the single most important thing it could do for residents was to make sure they continued to get value for money by paying the lowest council tax possible while getting high quality services.
He added, “We are really proud of our decades-long record of making sure that the residents of Wandsworth pay the lowest average council tax and I’m proud to be leading the only London council likely to cut council tax this year.
“I know the impact that the pandemic has had on our residents and when you factor in the current cost of living difficulties that people are facing, with rising heating and fuel bills, we just couldn’t, as a local council, heap further financial burdens onto people who are already struggling.”
“Wandsworth is in a unique position to be able to do this because of the way we have managed our finances and budgets over the years. That efficiency is now reaping the benefits for our residents with a net decrease in their council tax bills from April.”
Around half of London boroughs will be raising council tax by over £70 per household including the GLA increase. Many are choosing to raise the amount they charge by 2.99% which includes 1% that must go towards adult social care.
Cabinet member for finance, corporate resources and climate sustainability councillor Kim Caddy, said, “Low council tax is synonymous with Wandsworth because of the efforts this council goes to in looking after its money properly and most importantly of all looking out for our residents. We hope that these proposals will really help make a difference and help residents keep their household costs down as we all continue to emerge from the pandemic.”
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March 1, 2022