Council Tax 2008/09
Investment in a whole range of services, for residents of all ages, has been laid out in the Mayor’s spending plans for the coming financial year.
This is being done without increasing Hackney’s part of Council Tax bills.
In this year’s budget, which comes into effect from April, schools are set to receive £157.6million, an increase of 7.2 per cent on last year.
Youth activities
There will also be money for extra youth activities on more of the borough’s estates. This will provide two additional youth sessions a week in a further five estates. This is on top of a £1.6million increase in youth services funding over the past three years.
Cleaner streets
A total of £395,000 has been set aside to double the number of graffiti-busting teams, boost fly-poster removal services, and increase the number of street cleaners. They will be focused on town centre areas and sweeping up to 200 of the borough’s roads more regularly.
Care for adults
A further £1million is being earmarked to provide care for adults with learning disabilities, and £528,000 to support families with a child with a disability. A half million will go towards helping fostering and adoption services.
Mayor Jules Pipe:
“This is the third year in a row we have frozen Hackney’s element of the Council Tax, and the sixth year without any cuts to frontline services – instead we have again expanded services.
“This year we are again investing in the services that residents tell us are the most important, including engaging more young people through youth activities, extra funding to tackle graffiti and fly- posting, and increasing the frequency of street cleaning in our town centres.
“We are also putting additional money into services that help support and care for those in our community who need it most, such as disabled children and foster families.”
Residents will see the Band D Council Tax rate going up by approximately 11p a week, following a rise in the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) part of the tax.
London-wide services such as the Metropolitan Police, public transport, and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are paid for by the GLA’s share of the Council Tax.
Council Tax bands
| Band | GLA/£ | Hackney Council Basic amount/£ | Total Council Tax/£ |
| A | 206.55 | 665.63 | 872.18 |
| B | 240.97 | 776.57 | 1017.54 |
| C | 275.40 | 887.51 | 1162.91 |
| D | 309.82 | 998.45 | 1308.27 |
| E | 378.67 | 1220.33 | 1599.00 |
| F | 447.52 | 1442.21 | 1889.73 |
| G | 516.37 | 1664.08 | 2180.45 |
| H | 619.64 | 1996.90 | 2616.54 |
How much - and on what?
Education
The lion’s share goes directly to schools in the borough, which will receive £157.6million from this year’s budget.
Sustainability
Hackney's carbon footprint is to be addressed, with further measures to reduce the Council’s own emissions.
The carbon footprint of Hackney’s planned new customer service centre has been rated as excellent by experts, but the Council is also planning to retro-fit its other buildings with energy saving measures.
The Mayor and Chief Executive have signed the Nottingham Declaration, which recognises climate change as a real threat to the environment, while a new strategy is being produced to include key targets for making the borough greener.
Modernisation
The Council is modernising the way it works to provide better services for local people. One of the major changes will be a new building, directly behind the Town Hall at 1 Hillman Street.
This building will bring together key services in one place, making it much easier for residents to access them. Currently people have to travel across Hackney to over 80 different Council offices to get the help they need.
The building’s innovative design has been created to complement the Town Hall.
Even from the inside, the 1930s Art Deco Grade II listed building will be visible through a glass facade.
The Town Hall is a much loved landmark and will remain the Council’s principal building after the new centre opens in March 2010.
Regeneration
The regeneration of the borough also comes under the spotlight with an investment of more than £600,000.
This is to ensure an improved planning process and that regeneration benefits residents and the local economy.
Page updated: 11 Mar 2008