Redbridge residents face council tax rise after 'stark' drop in government funding
Josh Mellor, Local Democracy Reporter
Council tax bills could see Redbridge residents in band D homes pay an extra £74.55 a year - Credit: Ken Mears
Redbridge residents are likely to see their council tax bills increase in April, as the council prepares its budget for next year.
A proposed increase of 4.17 per cent will be decided at a full council meeting on February 24 and would see residents in band D homes pay an extra £74.55 a year.
In a public webinar about the proposed 2022/23 budget last week, deputy leader Kam Rai did not mention the rise in council tax but said government funding has dropped by a “stark” £87million since 2010.
Despite this, Cllr Rai said Redbridge Council has focused on “efficiency and transformation” to save money, rather than “service cuts”.
He added: “Technology helps us to look after more people, for example staff in care teams can look after people without having to pay visits all the time.
“You’ll see very few redundancies, our focus is how we transform the way we work.”
The council needs to close a “budget gap” of £74.3m by 2026/27 and plans to spend £5.7m less across its services in the next financial year.
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Of the £7m in cuts planned for 2021/22, just over half have still not been achieved and have been “rolled over” to 2022/23.
Although Cllr Rai has avoided announcing specific job cuts in the past, he has said staff positions that are empty may not be filled to save money and voluntary redundancies are being offered.
Spending is expected to continue on social services to prevent more complicated and expensive issues later on.
The 4.17pc increase includes 1.99pc in council tax, 1pc for adult social care and 8pc for the Greater London Authority (GLA), which is responsible for transport, policing, housing and economic development.
Cllr Rai has emphasised that Redbridge only has control over the council tax increase of 1.99pc and the 1pc for adult social care, which is ring-fenced for that service.
The GLA has been approached for comment on the reason for the 8pc increase.
The public can attend a further meeting on Redbridge’s budget this Tuesday, February 8 at this link www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/february-2022/202223-budget-have-your-say/
