Lib Dem-led Camden keeps Council Tax below inflation

2.55.00pm GMT Fri 7th Mar 2008

Camden's Liberal Democrat-led Council has agreed its Budget for 2008-09, confirming plans to set a below-inflation Council Tax rise to follow last year's freeze. The Budget also sees an extra £11m of expenditure on new services, including extra funding for services for older people, for libraries and for tackling Climate Change.

Lib Dems have kept their manifesto pledges on Council Tax, with a freeze on Camden's share of the tax in 2007/8 and a below-inflation rise in 2008/9

Residents of Camden will see below-inflation Council Tax increases for the next three years, under plans agreed by Camden's Liberal Democrat-led council in March. Camden's share of the Council Tax levy will rise by only 2.5% from April 2008, at a time when the Retail Price Index is running at over 4 per cent. Research has shown that Council Tax hits those on fixed and low incomes hardest and this is good news for all residents of Camden.

Services will also be getting a boost, with £11m of spending on new services. Examples include an extra £500,000 for action to tackle climate change across the council, an extra £600,000 for youth services, including more weekend projects, and an extra £100,000 to allow Swiss Cottage Library to open on Sundays, fulfilling a manifesto pledge to extend library opening hours. These new services are being made possible by savings worth over £13m from a cross-cutting efficiency programme looking to change the way the council works.

Camden's Liberal Democrat finance spokesperson, Janet Grauberg, said "This Budget delivers the services that Camden's residents want and need, today and in the future. We have listened to residents through special budget consultations - something our Labour predecessors never did - and have struck the right balance between tax and spend. Whether it is new trees, new playground equipment or a better service for their elderly neighbours, every Camden resident should see better services as a result of this Budget".