Cut Council Tax by 3%
Raised by: Jonathan Stapleton on 02 January 2008
The undersigned believed that council tax has increased excessively over the past five years and that the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames should follow the example of Hammersmith and Fulham Council and cut rates by 3% for the 2008/2009 year.
(Closing date for signatures - 26 February 2008)
This petition is now concluded. For updates on the petition progress, check the Petition Progress below.
Petition Details
Petition title: Cut Council Tax by 3%
Raised by: Jonathan Stapleton
Date raised: 02 January 2008
Corresponding issue: Finance
Number of Signatures: 36
Petition Information
Council Tax in The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has gone up massively in recent years. Last year, Band C council tax increased from £1,287.87 to £1,352.89 - an increase of 5.05%. This came on top of a 5.38% increase the year before and a 5.09% increase the year before that. While The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is a relatively affluent area of London, many residents can ill afford these additional increases. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has proposed cutting its council tax rates by 3% - for the second year in a row. It has done this while remaining to be a “Four Star” rated council. The 2007/08 Band C council tax in Hammersmith and Fulham was 1,060.74 – 21.6% lower than that in The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Should its second cut of 3% be ratified, this differential will increase further. The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has a lower star rating than Hammersmith and Fulham – with only “Three Stars” from the Audit Commission - yet charges more than any of the neighbouring boroughs. Other Band C Council Tax rates below: The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames: £1,352.89 London Borough of Richmond upon Thames: £1,324.98 (2.1% less) London Borough of Hounslow: £1239.59 (8.4% less) London Borough of Sutton: £1,223.28 (9.6% less) London Borough of Croydon: £1206.80 (10.8% less) London Borough of Merton: £1203.92 (11.0% less) Hammersmith and Fulham: £1,060.74 (21.6% less) London Borough of Wandsworth: £601.03 (55.6% less)
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Petition Progress
This petition was noted at the Council meeting on 27 February when the budget and Council Tax for 2008/09 was set.