Southwark Liberal Democrats are committed to freezing council tax in Southwark through our budget which was presented at Southwark Council in February
This is in stark contrast to Labour, who control the council, and their plan to increase council tax by the maximum allowed by central government of 4.99% , clearly breaking their manifesto commitment to ‘keep council tax low’.
The Liberal Democrat group has spent the last few months producing detailed, and carefully considered alternative budget proposals for Southwark 2023/24.
By identifying council waste that could be cut down and innovative ways to generate income, we found a way that Southwark could freeze council tax bills for residents, save the vital services earmarked for cuts, increase voluntary sector support and scrap the bulky waste charge increase.
We produced the kind of budget we need during a cost of living crisis – a budget that was on the side of residents.
An easy guide to the energy bills support available for Southwark residents
Whatsmore we even presented a way to extend the Cycle Hire scheme across the Borough – something long overdue in our fight to tackle climate change.
Our proposals were deemed fully costed, legal and implementable by Southwark’s finance officer.
Unfortunately, Labour opted instead to plough ahead with their damaging budget of tax rises and service reductions, enthusiastically voting down the chance to provide more support for the people of Southwark.
Labour members took particular offense at the suggestion they should look to reduce the amount they spend on themselves.
The twelve strong Southwark Labour cabinet currently costs the taxpayers of Southwark £317,448 a year.
We called for common sense reductions to this expenditure – a smaller, more efficient cabinet, a flat reduction to all additional allowances and an end to the insulting golden goodbyes scheme.
These reductions would have saved the council £219,000 a year, enough to reverse numerous cuts to services relied upon by the most vulnerable in our communities.
Labour’s favourite line – “spend every penny as if it was form our own pocket” – takes on quite a different meaning after this budget.
They really are spending your money like it’s their own – on themselves.
Southwark Labour are determined to take as much of our residents’ money as they can and waste it on members’ allowances and vanity projects with no clear benefits.
After all the bluster and boasting from Labour about this budget, the reality is that bills have increased for struggling families and services for vulnerable people have been reduced even further.
Fortunately, the Liberal Democrat group will be there every step of the way to shine a light on council waste and offer progressive policy alternatives to help the people of Southwark.