Islington Council Tax almost £100 lower than neighbours - again

12.00.00am GMT Tue 23rd Mar 2004

Islington residents are set to continue to pay almost £100 less Council Tax than residents in the three neighbouring authorities, Haringey, Hackney and Camden - all run by Labour. Islington's Liberal Democrat-run Council is proposing that Band D Council Tax in 2004-5 again be below the London average, at £1107.38. This is a rise of 5.6% from last year - just over a pound a week. Cllr Arnie Gibbons, Executive Member for Resources, said "We pledged to keep Council Tax below the average in London, and we have again delivered on our pledge. "Islington residents will also be paying almost £100 less than their neighbours in Haringey, Hackney and Camden. "The Government have again this year not been generous to Islington, giving us a smaller increase in our grant than to most inner London councils. However, through prudent financial management and increased efficiency we have been able to invest more money in our priorities, and continue to give residents value for money. "We will be saving £3.5 million through efficiency savings. "We will be investing another £9.2 million in frontline services, including £2.9m into helping vulnerable people, especially the young and the old, through Social Services. "We are investing an extra £5.7m into schools. And we are putting a further £500,000 into increasing recycling in Islington." Facts A graph showing the levels of Council Tax in Islington, Haringey, Hackney and Camden over the last few years is attached. Islington's Council Tax (Band D) in 2004-5 will be £1107.38. This is over £152 less than in Haringey (£1259.30), £108 less than in Hackney (£1214.97), and £93 less than in Camden (£1200.77). The Liberal Democrats pledged at the 2002 local elections to keep Islington's Council Tax below the average in London. This was achieved in 2002, 2003 and again in 2004.