Merton council to hike tax by 5 per cent in April
By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter
Council tax in Merton is set to rise by five per cent in April, the maximum allowed without a referendum.
But some households will be eligible for a one per cent rebate to help with the cost-of-living crisis. Those living in band A-D homes will be getting the rebate.
The increase will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on January 16, and the budget for 2023/24 is expected to be agreed at a meeting on March 1.
The council declared a cost-of-living emergency in July 2022 and in November handed out a ÂŁ60 rebate to 10,900 residents who receive council tax support.
This totals £654,000, of which £454,000 comes from the the government’s Household Support Fund, provided to councils to help those most in need.
Council leader Ross Garrod said: “Merton was one of the first councils to declare a cost-of-living emergency, and we will continue to do everything we can to support residents who are counting the cost of rising prices.
“Our proposed one-off one per cent discount on council tax bills will benefit the majority of residents in the borough and those facing the toughest impacts.
“This is in addition to our ÂŁ60 rebate for residents who receive tax support, and many more who have been helped through our ÂŁ2m Cost of Living Fund.”
The council has allocated ÂŁ100,000 of its cost of living fund to the voluntary sector, and ÂŁ400,000 to initiatives that reduce heating costs. It also agreed for ÂŁ630,000 to pay for free school meal vouchers between October 2022 and March 2023.
There is also a new debt support service run by the Merton Citizens Advice Bureau in libraries across the borough.
Cabinet member for finance and corporate services, Councillor Billy Christie, said: “Like many residents, we are under unprecedented pressure to balance our budget, and all our services face soaring energy costs, rising bills and high inflation.”
Pictured top: Merton Civic Centre, London Road in Morden (Picture: Google Street View)
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