Kingston Council has approved a proposal which includes an additional charge to meet adult social care needs in the borough
Kingston residents will see their council tax bills rise this year following a decision at the council’s budget meeting last week.
The council approved a 4.99% increase in council tax for all to pay. This has been split into a 2.99% general increase, with an additional 2% added solely to address adult social care needs in the borough.
In a statement, the leader of Kingston Council Andreas Kirsch said: “This budget will support ongoing projects to build more council homes, deliver more family and community hubs, enhance green spaces, deliver a children’s home, reduce our carbon footprint, strengthen the borough’s cultural and leisure offer, as well as deliver the new Kingston leisure centre.
“We are working hard with partners and communities to transform our services and support residents in the best and most efficient way possible.”
The Courier spoke to one resident, whose response typified the reaction online to the news of the increase.
Steve Kent, 33, lives in the area with two other people, one of whom is on Universal Credit. He said:
“The increase in Council Tax hits me and my flatmates hard.”
“We are behind in payments as he [the flatmate on Universal Credit] hasn’t paid his fair share, so the increase makes it harder on the two of us who are paying it off,” said Kent.
In the next financial year, the council has said they plan to spend £205.70m on essential services, support, and to make the community safer and better for all its residents.
“I think we receive very poor value for money in Kingston,” said Kent.
The increase equates to approximately £1.92 per week per Band D household.
Council Tax Band D refers to mid-range property valuation, roughly between £68,000-£88,000, which is the benchmark for local council tax rates.
“We always put residents at the heart of what we do and continue to deliver good quality services, as the Local Government Association highlighted in our peer review last year,” said Cllr Kirsch. “Alongside our work to ensure people in need can access help, we continue to work for all our residents.”
The Courier has approached Kingston Council for further comment.
