A Liberal Democrat Budget for Islington

3.59.44pm GMT Thu 24th Feb 2005

Islington Liberal Democrats will today set a level of Council Tax in Islington which is again considerably lower than that of all neighbouring boroughs, and below the average of London boroughs.

Under Labour, Islington had the highest Council Tax in London.

Islington's Council Tax (Band D) level for 2005-6 will be £1156.64. £902.02 of this will go to the Council, with the remainder being a levy by Mayor Ken Livingstone and the Greater London Authority, for London-wide services.

This means that Islington's Council Tax will again be at least than £75 lower than any of its neighbouring boroughs, Camden, Haringey or Hackney. Residents in the north of Islington will pay a staggering £166 less than their neighbours across the border in Labour-run Haringey.

Liberal Democrats are also proposing to spend more in several important areas of Council work, including:

More than £2 million more into providing cleaner streets, more rubbish collection, and a pleasanter environment £16 million per year more on improving housing in the Borough Half a million pounds into improved leisure services £50,000 to be available to local groups in grants for events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of VE Day increasing the allocation to £80,000 to each Area Committee for local improvements

The Budget proposes overall growth in the Council's budget of £11.2 Million, helped by efficiency and administrative savings of £4.1 million

Councillor Steve Hitchins said

"This is a truly Liberal Democrat budget which puts more money into key areas, improving the face of Islington and supporting those who need it - while keeping Council Tax low.

"It is a major step forward in making reality our vision for creating One Islington.

"The additional resources we are investing into making Islington A1 Borough will make Islington a better place to live and be, spreading out from the borough's spine."