COUNCIL tax will be frozen in Hillingdon for a third year running, the council’s leader has said.
Councillor Ray Puddifoot, speaking to the Gazette before Hillingdon Council’s draft budget announcement, said there would probably be a £16-million reduction in the grant it receives from government – but again no tax rise to help cover it.
The Treasury grant designed to help local authorities temporarily freeze council tax has been extended for another year.
Mr Puddifoot said despite the expected £16million shortfall in 2012-13 – on top of £26million savings this year – frontline services would be protected.
“We won’t know the full details of the government’s settlement until next week but we have already decided to freeze council tax and protect frontline services,” he said.
“There will be no library closures or reduction in rubbish collections. It will be an even tougher budget than last year but we have planned for it. Although the reduction in our grant will be less than this year, it gets more difficult.”
Mr Puddifoot has pledged not to increase council tax for the over-65s for four years. Other residents may see a 2.5 per cent rise from 2013-14.
Mr Puddifoot said the council would not need to resort to drastic tax rises in future to catch up although inflation is running at more than five per cent. The cabinet meets on December 15 to vote through its draft budget.
