Residents face hikes in both rents and council tax payments
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents face a further increase in the cost of living after councillors voted to hike both council tax and rents.
Lewisham residents will pay the maximum five per cent more in council tax and seven per cent in rents.
People living in properties falling under the most common council tax band C will have to pay an additional £97.30 per year. They will face an annual council tax bill of £1,712.24 from 2023/24.
Rents will also increase an average of £7.22 per week for flats or £2.63 per week for hostel accommodation, under the 2023/24 budget which was passed on Tuesday.
Care leavers under the age of 25 will continue not having to pay council tax.
People living alone who take in a refugee will also continue to receive their 25 per cent single-person council tax discount.
Introducing the budget to the council, Damien Egan, mayor of Lewisham, said: “Again, Lewisham residents alongside residents across the country are being asked to pay more and get less in terms of their services.
“Government cuts mean that our budget in real terms has gone from £420m in 2010 to £243m today. That is a staggering reduction.”
Pictured top: Lewisham council’s offices in Catford (Picture: Google Street View)
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