Finance Committee To Propose 3.99% rise in Council Tax

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Wandsworth council tax set to remain second lowest in country

The Council has announced that the average Band D council tax bill in the borough will be marginally £3.50 a year lower in 2016/17 under plans to be discussed by councillors next week.

A report will go before the finance committee on Thursday which recommends an increase of 3.99 per cent in the council’s share of the tax rate, but this will be offset by the Mayor of London’s plan to decrease his part of the bill.

The net result would be a £3.50 fall in the annual Band D bill. This means Wandsworth residents would continue to pay the second lowest charge in the country at £679.91 (Westminster residents pay the lowest).

Compared to the London average, Wandsworth households would be paying around £56 a month less, a saving of roughly 50 per cent.

Under Government rules 2 per cent of the council’s proposed tax increase will be ring fenced for adult social care.

Guy Senior, council finance spokesman, said: “Like all councils we have to manage with a reduced Government grant next year and a modest increase in our council tax income will help us to absorb the impact and protect front line services. Because of the prudent approach the council has taken its finances over many years we are able to draw on our reserves to reduce the funding gap further and we will also benefit from a £13m New Homes Bonus payment in reward for our successful housing delivery programmes. This will make a significant difference.

“Our low council tax rate is the result of many years of consistent and long term financial planning and keeping bills as low as possible remains a priority. Our tax rate benefits everyone in Wandsworth but it’s most important to people getting by on low incomes. Most households will be charged around £56 a month less than the London average which we know can make a real difference.”

February 22, 2016