Southwark council freezes council tax

The chilly weather might be starting to thaw as the UK edges closer to spring, but Southwark Council is determined to keep some ice around by freezing the amount of council tax its residents pay.

As part of its 2013/14 budget discussions, councillors agreed to a number of strategies that will mean residents will continue to see high standards of service in spite of funding cuts.

Among the planned improvements, the local authority plans to expand coverage of an already-extensive CCTV security system as well as fund the creation of a £1 million business support fund designed to encourage trade in the area.

The implementation of a grant designed to ensure free healthy lunches for all primary school children from September will undoubtedly please families living in the area while staff working for the council and all those contracted by it have been promised an entitlement to the London living wage.

A further three years of financial support set aside exclusively to deal with the young people of Southwark was also confirmed.

"I'm delighted the Council Assembly has endorsed our budget which really will deliver the best possible services for Southwark in 2013/14," commented councillor Richard Livingstone.

"These are difficult times for all councils, and Southwark has been one of the hardest hit by government cuts. But by making sure that everything we spend helps us deliver on our fairer future promises, we know that every penny goes towards the things that matter most to local people," he added.

Councillors spent hours working out ways in which the proposed funding cuts could be implemented without an impact to local residents, eventually deciding on a strategy that focuses on delivering three-quarters of the savings through efficiencies and a better use of resources.

The remainder of the £24.5 million reduction in funding will be found through a redesign or restructuring of services as opposed to outright cuts.

Published 4th March, 2013

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