Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 28 December 2007
Pledge on council tax
ISLINGTON Council leader Lib Dem Cllr James Kempton committed his party to keep council tax below the London average. He spoke out despite a local government finance settlement this week which was providing Islington with grant increases of only 2 per cent next and 1.8 per cent the year after.
Cllr Kempton said: “Islington residents are not getting a fair deal. Once again we’ve lost out in the government’s funding lottery. We’re a densely populated inner-London borough with some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country. It doesn’t make sense that we are receiving an increase lower than inflation.” “Despite the pressures, Islington was one of very few councils to deliver a below-inflation council tax increase last year. “Despite this disappointing settlement from government, we’re committed to keeping council tax below the London average and while delivering high-quality services in the most efficient way.”