The parks of Bromley will receive their biggest ever investment as the council has committed £1 million of additional funding for their improvement as part of its budgeting for 2022/23.
The substantial investment in the borough’s green spaces comes as the Council confirms that in the new financial year residents will receive one of the lowest council tax rises in the UK, a decision made possible by the council’s careful financial management.
Speaking about the investment in parks and recreation areas, Councillor Michael Rutherford, Executive Councillor for Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management, said: “I know from parks near where I live in Bromley Town that we all depend on them now more than ever. I am delighted that this investment, which comes in addition to previously agreed funding, will build on the schemes already in place for Hoblingwell Wood Recreation Ground, Croydon Road Recreation Ground and Scadbury Park, to reach many more vital spaces that will be improved for Bromley residents to enjoy, exercise and relax in over the coming years. We are looking forward to working with Friends of Parks groups to make an important and lasting difference to these essential local resources.”
Further details of how the funding for parks is to be allocated will be shared at a later date.
In 2022/23, there will be no increase in the Bromley element of the council tax, with just a 1 per cent increase in the adult care service precept that funds crucial services offering support to adults with physical or mental needs on a day-to-day basis.
The small increase is possible due to award-winning financial management, sound investments and the council’s own income that enable the council to run life-changing schemes, such as the tackling loneliness strategy, and make environmentally sound changes including changing street lighting to LED.
The largest increase in council tax to be felt by Bromley residents will come from the Mayor of London, who has increased his element by 8.8 per cent for 2022/23.
On the subject of council tax, Cllr Rutherford added: “I am extremely proud of how carefully Bromley Council handles its residents’ money and that we have been able to keep our increase in council tax so low, particularly in comparison to the Mayor of London’s increase, at a time when Bromley residents are concerned about the cost of living. With this in mind, we also intend to keep further increases below inflation for the next three years.”
Bromley Council has a history of minimising costs and working to lessen council tax rises, having not increased its element by more than 3 per cent since 2008/9. This despite receiving only small funding from central government.
Of all the London boroughs, only Richmond-upon-Thames will receive less central government funding per person than Bromley in 2022/23, with Sutton and Croydon receiving almost twice as much in the coming year.
By comparison, in 2022/23, a household in a Band D property in Bromley will pay £1,341.86 in council tax (excluding the GLA precept), while a Band D household in Croydon can expect to pay £1,570 (17 per cent more), in Sutton £1,538 (15 per cent more and in Richmond £1,625.94 (21per cent more), based on budgetary figures that are still subject to approval as of 28 February 2002.
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk