Despite ‘worst settlement for a decade’ from Government
Hounslow Council will freeze its share of the council tax bill for the second year despite receiving the ‘worst settlement for a decade’ from the Government.
Speaking after this week’s borough council meeting at which the zero percent rise was agreed, Cllr Peter Thompson, said, “I am delighted that we are able to once again freeze the council’s share of the council tax. We have moved from charging the 5th highest council tax in London, to the 11th highest.
“Too many families are crippled by high bills and rising costs of living, and we do not believe people can afford to pay any more. So it is up to us to respond by lowering our tax burden.
“Since council tax was introduced in 1993, the average bill in Hounslow has more than doubled. This has particularly hit residents with low to moderate fixed incomes, such as pensioners, who have struggled to meet continual rises.
“This year has been particularly difficult for us. Most of what we spend comes from Government and we received the worst settlement for a decade. The below inflation settlement unfairly penalises both the council and local residents.
“We have had to take some tough decisions about to how spend residents’ money, and we have made savings by identifying where we can do things differently or more efficiently.
“We have also increased our investment in services that local people have told us matter to them without dipping into our reserves. We are also putting aside £5 million for essential growth over the year."
March 6, 2008
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