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Council Tax: Local MP Hails "Double Dose of Good News for Wimbledon"

Date: Wednesday, 17 February 2010

Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon, has welcomed two pieces of news that will bring Wimbledon residents better value for money for local services.

Firstly, the Conservative administration on Merton Council has proposed a 1.4% reduction in Council Tax. A formal decision will be taken by the Council at its budget meeting on 3 March. Under Labour between 1998 and 2006, Council Tax rose by 55.7%.

Secondly, the London Assembly yesterday approved the Mayor’s budget, which includes a freeze on the GLA portion of Council Tax. This is the second such annual freeze, and comes after the precept had risen by 153% under the previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone.

Stephen Hammond said: “This is a double dose of good news for Wimbledon. In these testing times it is only right that we should be eliminating waste, concentrating on the things that really matter and keeping costs down.”

“I am therefore delighted to see that the hard work put in by Merton’s councillors and officers has resulted in a proposed reduction in Council Tax. This shows that only Conservatives can be trusted to bring down charges whilst improving services at the same time. I am sure local people will take notice of this at the local elections in May.”

He continued: “Wimbledon residents will also welcome the news that the portion of Council Tax payable to the GLA will not be going up. And they will be pleased to see that what they do pay to the GLA will have significant local benefits such as more police on our streets.”

-ENDS-

For more information please contact Stephen Hammond on 020 7219 3401.