The town hall this afternoon clarified its position on the planned 2.99 per cent council tax rise – saying funds will protect Islington’s after-school clubs and holiday childcare.
Islington Council currently subsidises 700 after-school places for children aged five and over, along with 200 holiday childcare places. Due to government cuts, childcare providers had been told funding for these places would end in August.
By increasing council tax at 2.99pc, Islington can continue to offer subsidise these services. The hike was originally announced earlier this month.
Islington is also proposing to apply the government’s social care precept of 3pc to help pay for adult social care. If passed at a town hall budget meeting on February 22, it means there will be a total council tax rise of 5.99%: a weekly increase of £1.24 for an average band D property.
Finance boss Cllr Andy Hull said: “We don’t want to raise council tax, but at a time of unprecedented government cuts to council budgets, we have little choice if we wish to protect vital services on which local people rely.”
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