On Target for Another Below Inflation Tax Increase
Despite the worst financial settlement from the government in years, Cllr
Ian Clement, the Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, says the authority is on target for another Council Tax increase that is below the rate of inflation.
"We are committed to providing good quality and value for money services
for the people of Bexley - and to keeping the increase in the Council Tax as
low as possible," said Cllr Clement, launching the public consultation
on the Council's new budget strategy.
"We never forget that its our residents' money we're spending. Our grant
from central government has increased by only 2%, although inflation is at
4%, but we continuing to focus on our residents' priorities: improving the
environment; promoting safety and value for money."
"The people of Bexley and the other London boroughs are paying a high
price for the government's decision to order a massive redistribution of funding
from councils in the south to the north of England," explained Cllr Clement. "Some
of the key statistics on which grant allocations are based have been shown
to be wrong - and even some civil servants admit that the system no longer
works properly.
"London is the engine at the heart of the British economy. Denying it
the resources it needs will cause problems not just in the capital, but for
the entire country."
Bexley has achieved more than £6 million in savings as a result of a
value for money drive across all departments.
The new budget strategy includes the following service improvements -
- new enhanced recycling and waste collection services
- the opening of Sidcup
Leisure Centre
- traffic improvements around Sidcup town
centre
- extending grants for minor
adaptations to the homes of residents with disabilities
- energy
conservation improvements to Council buildings that will be retained
as part of Bexley First
- allotment improvements
- new changing rooms at Hall Place
- the introduction of a choice-based lettings
scheme for social housing.
The budget strategy is available on the Council's website at www.bexley.gov.uk/consultations Comments can be made online or in writing to: Budget consultation, London Borough
of Bexley, Bexley Civic Offices, Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 7LB.
Council officers will be leading on consultation with the Council's major
partners, the borough's Schools' Forum and representatives of Bexley's business
ratepayers.
All the comments received will be considered at the meeting of the Council's
Cabinet on 25 February.
The Mayor of London is expected to submit his final budget proposals to the
London Assembly on 13 February.
