Lambeth’s Labour councillors are planning to freeze council tax for the second year running and have unveiled next year’s council budget for Lambeth. This announcement follows the biggest-ever consultation with residents to make sure money is spent on the things that matter most to local people.
Labour is keeping council tax down while spending more on front line services by cutting out millions of pounds in waste left behind by the Lib Dems and Tories. Since being voted into power in 2006 Labour has cut out £30m in Lib Dem and Tory waste. Labour’s stronger financial management means frontline services have been protected through the worst of the recession. Labour’s two-year tax freeze marks a real change from the staggering 40% council tax hike the Tories and Lib Dems forced through during the period they ran the council until 2006.
Labour council leader Steve Reed said: “Instead of targeting people’s pockets like the Lib Dems did, Labour has targeted waste to make the council more efficient.
That approach has saved millions of pounds and now residents are seeing the benefit with the second year of a council tax freeze and investment in new services at the same time.”
“Labour’s new investment includes lunch clubs for older people in all Lambeth’s town centres, extra investment in youth services, and action against crime with new measures targeting drug dealers, dangerous dogs and people responsible for anti-social behaviour. The clear message is Labour gives you more but costs you less. The days of Lib Dem tax hikes and waste are at an end.”
Budget Headlines:
- Council tax freeze for the second year running.
- Pay freeze for Councillors.
- More on frontline services, for example:
- £70,000 more than last year for the new Noise Nuisance Team
- £51,000 more than last year to help fund 22 new Police Community Support Officers
- £300,000 more than last year to fund Lambeth’s flagship Young and Safe programme which aims to reduce Youth Violence
- £60,000 more than last year to boost the Council’s anti-social behaviour team.
- Examples of savings include:
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- £1m back office savings; getting fewer people in the Town Hall and getting staff to work more efficiently.
- £1m additional debt collection
- £1m extra council tax collection
In other news Thornton Labour Group have started up a new website called Thorntonlife where you will be able to read a bit more about Cllr Lib Peck, Cllr Diana Morris, Labour candidate for Lambeth Borough Council, Ed Davie and Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, Chukka Umunna as well as being able to read up other stories in Thornton.
Check out the site by clicking the link below.
