Still lowest in the UK despite 4.99% increase

Council tax is going up 4.99% in Wandsworth after councillors voted last week (6 March) to approve this year’s budget. It remains the lowest in the UK.

The Council is raising its portion of the charge by the maximum allowed without triggering a referendum – 4.99%. This means that Wandsworth's overall average Band D council tax bill for the year will amount to £770.31. Of this amount £320.51 will be paid to the Mayor of London for city-wide services such as policing.

2% of the council's 4.99% rise will pay for adult social care, with the remaining 2.99% funding other council services.

The Labour councillors argued that the 2.99% hike - but not the 2% for adult social care - should be reconsidered stating that the tax hits the poorest residents hardest.

The council's finance spokesman Cllr Guy Senior said: “Since council tax was introduced almost 30 years ago we have worked tirelessly to ensure our residents have been able to enjoy top quality services at a price they can afford.

"Over those three decades our residents have been charged the lowest average bills of anywhere in the country while at the same time they've benefited from record investment in roads, libraries and housing.

“It is through prudent and sensible financial management, with a relentless emphasis on delivering value for money, that we have been able to keep council tax bills to the absolute minimum while providing some of the best-run local government services in the country.

“We are also making sure we protect the vital social care services that many of our elderly residents, or those who are sick or vulnerable, and that their carers too rely on so heavily, which is why this year we are increasing the funds that pay for these crucial support services."

March 14, 2019