Hounslow Planning To Increase Council Tax Again

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Second year in a row that rise is the maximum allowable

Hounslow House

Hounslow Council say they are planning a 3.99% in council tax this year. This is the maximum amount allowed by the central government unless a referendum is held on a higher increase.

It is the second year in a row that the borough has seen a rise by the highest amount. Last year the increase was 4.99%

At the next Borough Council meeting on 25 February, the Council will be asked to consider an increase in of 1.99 per cent for 2020/21, plus a further two per cent adult social care precept, an increase which central Government has said it expects councils to make. This increase will add an extra £48.92 a year for a typical Band D property (excluding the Greater London Authority precept). The adult social care precept is ring-fenced to protect adult social care services.

The Mayor is also provisionally proposing to increase his share of council tax bills overall by 1.99 per cent. Once the Government announces its Police Settlement the Mayor will review this figure. If confirmed, this would see the Mayor’s overall annual precept for an average Band D property increase from £320.51 to £326.92.

Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services said, “The council continues to face major financial challenges due to austerity, particularly from the ever-growing demand on adult social care and children’s services. We therefore will need to make tough decisions in relation to Council Tax increases whilst protecting essential services for our most vulnerable residents and communities.”

Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, added, “The council, residents and businesses face significant challenges for the foreseeable future, but despite the cuts to our budgets, we are committed to providing good quality services that are viable and economically sustainable. We must find more innovative ways of dealing with these new challenges, especially with regard to climate change and becoming carbon neutral by 2030. We will continue to put significant resources into improving air quality and green spaces in the borough, and I look forward to working with residents and businesses to achieve this.”

Borough residents can manage their Council Tax account online to check their bill, set up a direct debit, claim Council Tax Support or tell the Council about any changes to circumstances.

January 11, 2020