main content Council tax remains lowest in outer London

Last night Councillors agreed a progressive budget that looks to the future and continues to build a Bromley based on what residents say matters most to them.

At the same time Bromley’s council tax remains the lowest in outer London despite an historically low level of financial support compared with other London boroughs from central Government. For the fourth year running Bromley has received the minimum increase in government formula grant, which is not sufficient to meet inflation and the major pressures on social services or the additional burdens placed on local authorities by Government. Taken as a breakdown of formula grant for each person, a resident in Bromley receives £184.43 compared to £742.24 for someone living in Newham, which has the next lowest council tax in outer London compared to Bromley. The outer London average is £351.54 and for inner London the average formula grant per head of population is £696.70.

The Bromley element of the council tax will rise by 3.98%, £33 on a band D property while the GLA precept will increase by 13.3%, a rise of £34 to £288.61. This gives a council tax rise of £67 in total on a band D property.

Said Councillor Stephen Carr, Leader of the Council: “Despite the continuing low level of financial support from Government we were determined to keep our council tax the lowest in outer London. But we were also determined to set a budget that builds for the future, that reflects what local people tell us matters most to them and allows us to continue to shape our vision of Building a Better Bromley for the people who live and work in our borough. We’ve allocated money to improve our recycling performance, to support adults with learning difficulties and to support the valuable community work in Mottingham and Cotmandene. There will also be money for improvements to the street scene in public areas, in local shopping parades and conservation areas and to invest in a new outdoor learning centre at High Elms for schools, youth groups and residents. The changes introduced in this budget will also allow us to develop proposals for a long awaited new leisure facility in Biggin Hill and we will be consulting with local people about what they want from such a facility over the coming months.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The total percentage rise is 6.1%. The GLA precept for 2006/7 is 13.3%. The proportion of the bill going to the GLA has risen from 16.7% in 2000/1 to 25% in 2006/7.

• For further information on the above please contact Paul Dale, Director of Resources, paul.dale@bromley.gov.uk  020 8313 4338
• For media enquiries, please contact Amanda.day@bromley.gov.uk, Communications Officer, on 020 8313 4390