Lib Dems Share Council Tax Savings with Residents

2.42.55pm GMT Thu 1st Mar 2007

Liberal Democrat run Islington Council is offering a £20 Council Tax discount to residents who pay by direct debit.

Paying by direct debit saves the council money, and can make council tax cheaper every month for residents by spreading payments over 12 months.

Residents have the option of donating their saving to the Lib Dems new "Climate Change Fund" so the money can help reduce carbon emissions in Islington.

If all 32,000 residents who pay by direct debit donated their £20 saving it would put over half a million pounds extra into the fund.

Executive Member for Finance Councillor Andrew Cornwell said:

"Direct Debit costs the Council less, so it's fair that we share that saving with residents.

"Global warming is major concern for everyone and if residents choose to put their reduction in Council Tax into the Climate Change Fund they can help to tackle it."

Projects that the council anticipates funding through the Climate Change Fund include wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, solar thermal hot water panels and other renewable energy measures, both for public buildings and private households.

It costs just 2p to process a direct debit payment compared to between £1.15 and £2.62 for credit card, cheque or cash transactions.

Ends

Notes

Islington council is offering a £20 discount to each resident who pays their council tax by direct debit for the financial year 2007/8.

This sum will be credited directly to residents' own bank accounts on or around June 1 2007 if April and May installments have successfully been collected from their accounts.