Bexley to increase council tax by 4.99%

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Bexley residents will see their council tax rise by 4.99 per cent this year, despite saying they feel “neglected” by the authority, according to a local councillor.

The increase was agreed upon at a full council meeting for Bexley council on Wednesday.

The 4.99 per cent tax hike includes a 2.99 per cent increase in the main council tax, as well as a two per cent rise for adult social care.

This comes after the Government increased the amount councils could legally raise taxes without needing a referendum last November.

The Labour Group put forward an amendment at the meeting to increase funding to resurfacing highways across the borough by £500,000, as well as adding one hour of free parking to shopping areas.

Leader of the council, Teresa O’Neill, said at the meeting that the council would be spending £15.5million on resurfacing roads and footpaths across the borough in the next four years.

Labour Councillor Larry Ferguson said residents in Thamesmead East will view the council tax hike as “highway robbery” given the litter on the area’s roads, saying one resident had said the council was becoming a “failed local authority”.

At the meeting, Cllr O’Neill said the budget set by the council had been done to deal with current issues, including those set by the pandemic.

She said: “We never lose sight of the fact it’s our residents’ money we are spending. As I said in another place last week, we have to make sure every penny counts in Bexley. We look to support residents to live the best lives possible and to reach their potential.”

Pictured top: Bexley Civic Offices, where Bexley council is based (Picture: Google Street View)