Croydon's Funding Inequalities

After a two-year council tax freeze, bills in Croydon are expected to rise by 1.2% to help protect services that matter most to local residents.

The budget that was agreed last night, comes as Croydon contends with a third consecutive year of cuts in government funding, which has taken £30m away from the borough. It has also seen an increase in demand on its services.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mike Fisher called on the government at last night’s Council meeting to address the funding inequalities. Croydon has the largest population of all the London boroughs yet receives less grant per head than neighbouring authorities who have less need than Croydon.

Cllr Fisher said: “If Croydon received neighbouring Lambeth’s government allocation we would have millions extra to invest and we would be able to cut council tax by more than 90%. Croydon's diversity and deprivation levels are now greater than Lambeth's yet the archaic formula which divides up resources doesn't recognise this and needs to be changed urgently.”

Residents have told us that education and improving schools, support for special needs in the borough, protecting the vulnerable, improving roads and parks, leisure facilities, building affordable homes and reducing crime are the services that Croydon should continue to prioritise and safeguard, which is what we are determined to do.

The proposed council tax bands for 2013 and 2014 are: 

Band A £982.93 An increase of £11.40 per year or 23p per week

Band B £1,146.75 An increase of £13.66 per year or 26p per week

Band C £1,310.55 An increase of £15.60 per year or 30p per week

Band D £1,474.39 An increase of £17.56 per year or 34p per week

Band E £1,802.02 An increase of £21.45 per year or 41p per week

Band F £2,129.67 An increase of £25.36 per year or 49p per week

Band G £2,457.31 An increase of £29.25 per year or 56p per week

Band H £2,948.78 An increase of £35.11 per year or 68p per week