Tuesday, 7 February 2023
Croydon Council has been granted special permission to hike its taxes by triple the usual amount.
The authority has been allowed to increase taxes by 15%, following three declarations of near-bankruptcy.
The council argues that it would have to cut vital services without the increase.
It’s been described by the government as an “unprecedented scale of financial deficits”.
Croydon says it was left £1.6bn in debt by the previous administration, due to high borrowing and poor investments.
Usually, a council would need to hold a referendum to put up taxes by 5% or more.
Croydon North Labour MP Steve Reed says “they know it’s not fair so they’ve cancelled our referendum”.
Under the plans, a Band D property owner will have to hand over £2,230 a year, when including the Mayor of London’s tax increase as well.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:00 pm
