Transport bill drives up tax

2:05pm Monday 12th November 2001

TORIES representing Bromley have criticised the Mayor of London for saying transport improvements could cost each council taxpayer an extra £65 next year.

Ken Livingstone admitted in a Mayor's Question Time that each London council taxpayer would have to pay an extra £65 on their precept for transport improvements if they all go ahead next year.

The precept is the portion of the Council Tax levied by the Mayor of London but collected through the boroughs, for the use of the GLA, Metropolitan Police, Fire Service and transport.

The 2001/02 precept was increased by 22.6 per cent, or by £28 a year on an average Band D household to £150.88.

Council Leader, Councillor Michael Tickner, said: “I think the Government should cap Ken and the GLA at no more than a six per cent increase.

“We had a huge increase in the GLA precept last year and although he wants to do things he must get his funding elsewhere.

“And he must be less ambitious with what he wants to do and only do what people can afford.”

Bob Neill, Greater London Assembly Member for Bromley and Bexley, said: “Transport improvements could easily double the precept, more than taxpayers can reasonably be expected to afford.”

But Lib Dem Councillor Martin Curry said: “If we want decent public service we have to pay for it one way or another.”

During the Mayor's Question Time, Mr Livingstone said on transport improvements “you will see, if we proceed with them all in our first year, it will add about £1.25 a week to the average tax bill.”

The actual figure for the precept will be decided in February.

A GLA spokesman said: “The mayor wants to keep the precept as low as possible, but he is committed to improving public services.”

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