Bexley to increase council tax by almost three per cent, like Lewisham and Greenwich
Bexley plans to hike council tax by the maximum amount while more money will be put towards waste services after last year’s bin-strike nightmare.
The council is the latest in London to reveal proposals which will see council tax rise to its maximum allowed amount of 2.99 per cent.
While 1.99 per cent of that will go back to the borough, 1 per cent will go towards the adult and social care precept.
Each 1 per cent rise generates around £1.2 million in revenue per year for the borough.
The council follows the likes of Lewisham and Greenwich in raising council tax to the highest amount allowed without a referendum.
Bexley Council is boasting of more investment towards its services if councillors vote through plans later this week.
It will see day-to-day spending rise from £176m to £191m, with a cash boost to waste services following huge strikes last year which saw bins go uncollected for weeks.
During the ‘Summer of Stink’, bin men and women eventually gained a considerable pay rise after seven weeks of striking against private company Serco, which was then running waste services for Bexley.
Locals will also see more funding for street cleaning, maintenance of parks and rises to children and adult social-care spending.
New affordable housing, new school places, investment in playgrounds and two new libraries are also on the cards over a five-year period.
Councillor David Leaf, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
“Our budget puts forward new investment in services used by residents across all parts of our borough. There’s more funding for our street services, roads and parks and new investment in the vital frontline services many adults, children and families rely on. We’re helping hundreds of vulnerable people affected by domestic abuse and violence and those in need of housing.
“We’re also helping families with the costs of living by giving reductions in Council Tax to 14,000 low-income households and administering the £150 cash rebate being provided by the Government to around three-quarters of households in Bexley. During the pandemic we provided thousands of businesses in the borough with millions of pounds of grants and business rates relief and have helped hundreds of residents into employment.
“Because of our record of sound financial management, we have been able to put more resources into the services that matter most to our residents. We have managed the financial challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and are working hard to make Bexley even better.”
Councillors will vote on the plans on Wednesday night.
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