Camden sets budget and Council Tax rate for 2020/2021
Camden councillors have approved an ambitious budget to support residents into work, invest in pre-school children and their families, protect young people from violent crime and enhance much loved community facilities, including libraries and leisure centres (Monday 2 March 2020).
Last week the Marmot report was published revealing that, for the first time in a century, life expectancy in England has fallen. Camden Council remains committed to providing everyone with the best opportunities to live, work and age well here in Camden, despite seeing the money it gets from Government cut in half since 2010. Investment in Camden’s key services will ensure the most vulnerable citizens are protected, children and young people get the best start in life and the borough’s communities can thrive.
The new budget will include a 3.99% rise in council tax to help fund these key services, but 10,000 of the most hard-pressed households will be exempt from paying Council Tax through a revamped Council Tax Support scheme.
“A decade of Government austerity and a mounting housing crisis has meant far too many people are getting left behind and too many people’s lives are blighted by poor housing conditions, child poverty, and insecure work.
“We want Camden to be different. We want to fight inequality and take away the barriers that all too often prevent residents from accessing the opportunities that are on their doorstep.
“We’re proud to be taking a long-term approach to budgeting, focusing on areas that we know will have the greatest impact in tackling inequality and supporting residents who are struggling to make ends meet. We are also taking bold action to meet the climate crisis and act on the recommendations of last year’s citizen’s assembly.”