Westminster freezes its share of the council tax (if only Ken could do the same)

2008/2009 Conservative Westminster Council Tax: £687.02 (+0.9% due to Mayor)

2008/2009 Labour Lambeth Council Tax: £1,235.11 (+4.0%)

2008/2009 Liberal Democrat Islington Council Tax: £1,248.23 (+2.4%)

Over the last couple of weeks the council tax bills for 2008/2009 have been dropping through letterboxes across Maida Vale. And the really good news is that the share of that bill taken by Westminster Council has been frozen, thanks to the votes of Conservative Councillors, for the upcoming year (remaining at £377.80 for a Band D property). Yet again, every single Labour Councillor voted against the freeze.

As local councillors we wanted to freeze the council tax because we are acutely aware of how people's budgets are coming under tremendous pressure from rises in the price of food, energy, the cost of living and, unjustifiably, from the rising tax burden imposed by Gordon Brown.

Overall, council tax in Westminster this year will rise by 0.9% to £687.02 (Band D property) - the rise solely down to the Mayor who, in his wisdom, is taking an extra £6.02 a year from hardworking families and individuals.

Westminster council tax remains the second lowest in the country - and, as your local councillors, we are working hard to keep it that way.

Lee

Aaah, there must be an election coming ...

Ken has his hand in your pocket again

Our useless Mayor published his budget proposals today and he is yet again trying to take more of your money - his share of the council tax in 08/09 will rise by 2.4% to £311.17 for an average Band D property. That's another £7.29 being taken from the pockets of hard-working Westminster taxpayers by a Mayor who just doesn't seem to get that people are being taxed too much.

Since Ken took office in 2000 the Mayoral precept has increased by 253%.

Still, at least it's lower than his 5.3% rise last year (or the 13.3% rise the year before that). Of course that couldn't possibly be a cynical ploy just three months before an election he might just lose ...

Time's up Ken.

Lee

Westminster: Council Tax

2007/2008 Conservative Westminster Council Tax: £681.68

2007/2008 Labour Lambeth Council Tax: £1187.23

2007/2008 LibDem Islington Council Tax: £1219.40

At the annual council tax meeting last night, Conservative Councillors voted for a minimum increase in Westminster's share of the Council Tax paid by local residents. From April, average Band D council taxpayers will pay £377.80 to Westminster (a rise below the current inflation rate of 2.7%).

During the election last year, Westminster Conservatives committed themselves to council tax rises at no more than 2% each year to 2010. We're very pleased to be able to deliver on our promise.

Every single Labour Councillor present last night voted against the proposal.

Including the Mayor's cut of council tax, total Band D bills will be £681.68 for 2007/2008. Ken Livingstone is now taking almost half of the council tax you pay (£303.88 out of £681.68).

Lee

Livingstone wants MORE money

Ken is coming. Watch your pockets.

Our illustrious mayor (a former resident of Randolph Avenue) yesterday released his draft budget for next year. After a huge hike this April, the Mayor is proposing to hit Londoners again - another £15.08 for a Band D household starting next year.

You are now paying almost half of your council tax to the Mayor. The extra police are very, very welcome. But what else does Ken do that is of any use?

Lee