Residents make voices heard over plan to raise council tax by 15 per cent

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

There was strong opposition to a proposed 15 per cent council tax rise inside and outside Croydon Town Hall last night.

Protesters made their voices heard ahead of a budget-setting meeting and shouts of “fair funding for Croydon” rang out.

The proposed tax hike, which was voted down by opposition councillors, saw dozens of angry residents gather outside the meeting venue in protest, holding signs reading “no to 15 per cent”.

Resident Damien Cook said: “It is not only disgraceful, it is arrogant. They didn’t even tell people what it would be spent on.”

And Rosa Sativa said: “This is abuse. We pay enough taxes. I think people should not pay it. How are we supposed to live?”

When the meeting got under way, councillors in the chamber heard first from Ken Towl, who started a petition against the increase which gained more than 25,000 signatures.

He said: “Your mistake, Mr Perry, is to put the burden of all this on the shoulders of the people of Croydon.

“You choose to punish the people who are not responsible.”

And Rachael Baylis, from the GMB Union, which represents Croydon council workers, said some were already struggling to pay for food and heating.

She said: “I have had enough. I am sure, if this goes through, people in their cold homes will be breathing a sigh of relief when they get their council tax bill and say ‘at least Croydon has a balanced budget’.”

In response to the petition, Croydon’s Conservative mayor, Jason Perry, said: “I want to recognise the anger at the proposed increase.

“I agree it is not fair, and I assure you it is not a proposal we put forward lightly, given the scale of the financial chaos we had little choice but to take these exceptional steps.”

After a long debate, opposition councillors voted against the 2023/24 budget, with 37 against to 34 in favour.

This means the budget will have to come in front of full council again on Wednesday, March 8.

The deadline for the council to set a balanced budget, a legal requirement, is March 11.

Pictured top: Rosa Satvia thinks people should not pay if the council tax is increased (Picture: Tara O’Connor)