Boris freezes council tax - will Kingston follow suit? (From This Is Local London)

Boris freezes council tax - will Kingston follow suit?

10:03am Saturday 13th December 2008 in Where I Live By David Lindsell

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced a freeze on his portion of council tax.

A total of 60,192 Kingston households will benefit from the 0% rise in the Greater London Authority's share of the bill next year.

Making the announcement, Mr Johnson said: "In this time of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to deliver value for money and to keep taxes as low as possible.

"When people are feeling the squeeze, the last thing politicians should do is hit them with tax increases."

He promised that front line services in fire, police and transport, and the Olympics would not be affected by the savings including cuts in spending at City Hall, almost £1 billion over the next three financial years.

Since 2000 the GLA precept has risen by 152 per cent.

But the GLA usually takes only £309 a year out of a typical Kingston bill of around £1,500 so unless the council follows suit, residents could still see another rise in their total bill.

Earlier this year the ruling Liberal Democrats at Kingston Council claimed Tory leader David Cameron’s promise of a two-year council tax freeze would harm housing, schools and social services for elderly and vulnerable people.

Under spells with both parties, Kingston Council has seen the largest rise in council tax in the country since 1997 with some bills rising from £641 to £1,580 in that time.

It now has the highest council tax bill anywhere in the capital, nearly £850 a year more than nearby Wandsworth.

Members of the public can have their say at london.gov.uk.