Lambeth Council Tax Freeze
Lambeth’s Labour administration has decided to freeze council tax for the next two years.
Recognising that in the current economic climate value for money is the top priority for Lambeth residents, Labour is determined to help by keeping council tax bills down. Having successfully managed its finances, the council is in a position to make this pledge while guaranteeing funding for front-line services, and without any cuts. For example, lunch clubs for older people are opening across the borough and youth clubs’ opening times are being extended to seven days a week.
Lambeth now has the sixth lowest council tax of the thirty three London boroughs. This stands in stark contrast to the way the Lib Dems ran Lambeth: raising council taxes over 40% while in power, including a colossal 23% rise in one year. Notably, the Lib Dems and Tories both voted against this year’s freeze.
Alongside the council tax freeze, the Labour administration launched a Credit Crunch Taskforce (of which Chuka, an employment law solicitor, was a member), pledging over £350k to helping residents and businesses through these difficult times in Lambeth. This will mean a range of new measures including a telephone advice service for local businesses, the promotion of local food initiatives and reducing the council’s payment time to small businesses from 30 to 10 days. The council is also expanding its collaboration with the Lambeth Savings and Credit Union.
Commenting on the council tax freeze, Chuka said,
“I welcome the decision to freeze council tax and applaud the measures Lambeth is taking to help the borough through these difficult economic times. This move shows what a difference having a Labour council can make.”
