Hammersmith & Fulham Set To Freeze Council Tax Rates
Says it wants to avoid further cost of living squeeze on residents
Bills will rise slightly due to increase in Mayor's portion
Hammersmith and Fulham Council says it is planning to freeze its portion of Council Tax due to cost of living increases.
The Labour-led authority will charge the same rate after implementing the maximum allowable last year.
The council tax rate in the borough is currently £1,195.62 for band D properties, which is the average property. This was an increase of £71.13 on the rate for 2020-21, which was £1,124.49.
Hammersmith and Fulham currently has the third lowest council tax rate of any authority in the country, behind Wandsworth and Westminster.
A report by council officers confirms they are proposing the freeze of council tax rates in light of the rising cost of living.
The report adds, “A tax freeze will provide a balanced budget whilst not increasing the burden on local taxpayers.”
The council plans to invest £7.4 million in services, including more than £5 million on adult social care and public health.
It plans to cut £4.85 million from services including children’s services, social care and environment.
There are 92,148 households in Hammersmith and Fulham, and just over half are liable for full council tax rates while the rest get support or discounts from the council.
The council’s gross budget for 2022/23 is £533.5 million and it needs to fund £160.4 million of this through income from things like council tax and business rates.
General government is expected to give the council £44.45 million from April – an increase of £6.2 million from last year.
English councils are allowed to charge an extra amount of council tax to go towards social care known as the adult social care precept.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is not planning to charge a 1% increase in these fees, as it is allowed to do under UK Government outlines.
The council’s cabinet will discuss the authority’s budget and council tax rates on 24 February.
Residents’ council tax bills will rise slightly due to an increase in the Mayor’s portion which is set separately.
Hannah Neary - Local Democracy Reporter
January 31, 2022