Council tax raised to ‘maximum level’

By Kiro Evans, Local Democracy Reporter

Bexley council has approved plans to hike council tax to their maximum level as it vowed to plough the money back into the borough.

The Tory-led council finalised a string of new financial plans but faced accusations from the Labour opposition that they were a “do nothing party” that has dropped the ball on housing issues in the borough.

Councillors voted through tax plans last week that sees council tax go up by 2.99 per cent – 1.99 per cent is the borough element of the tax, while the other one per cent will go towards the adult social care precept.

The cabinet member for resources, Councillor David Leaf, said it was a “difficult decision” but added the money would go back into local services.

He said that those on the low incomes would get a discount which would benefit as many as 14,000 households.

The council said there was more than £400m of investment for front line services, including £1m more in waste and funding following last year’s summer bin strike.

The money will also go towards a new special needs school and two new libraries in Sidcup and Thamesmead, along with other investments.

But Labour leader Stefano Borella accused the council of not funding housing properly in the borough.

Pictured top: The council said there was more than £400m of investment for front line services, including £1m more in waste