Bexley council tax will increase by 1.99 per cent for 2022/23.

To support investment in local services, Bexley Council has also agreed a 1 per cent increase for the adult social care precept.

The Council says this will enable over £3 million of new investment in local services.

Next year’s council tax and borough budget were approved at Bexley’s full Council meeting on Wednesday March 9.

A spokesperson for Bexley Council said the council tax increase is lower than the rate of inflation and lower than the 8.78 per cent rise in the Mayor of London’s share of the council tax.

To support residents on low incomes, the Council Tax Reduction Scheme gives 14,000 households - which is one in seven of all households in Bexley - discounts on their Council Tax bills of between 10 per cent and 100 per cent.

A spokesperson said around 74,000 households in the borough will also benefit from the £150 rebate provided by the Government to those living in homes in Council Tax Bands A to D.

The Council has also taken the decision to allocate £150 from the Discretionary Fund to low income households receiving Council Tax discounts in bands E to H.

A decision by Bexley Council on using the remainder of the Discretionary Fund will be made in due course.

Council tax bills will be sent to people living in Bexley later this month.

Council tax band for 2022/23 are as follows:

  • A

Valuation Band: Up to and including £40,000

2022/23: £1,282.00

  • B

Valuation Band: £40,001 - £52,000

2022/23: £1,495.66

  • C

Valuation Band: £52,001 - £68,000

2022/23: £1,709.33

  • D

Valuation Band: £68,001 - £88,000

2022/23: £1,922.99

  • E

Valuation Band: £88,001 - £120,000

2022/23: £2,350.32

  • F

Valuation Band: £120,001 - £160,000

2022/23: £2,777.66

  • G

Valuation Band: £160,001 - £320,000

2022/23: £3,204.99

  • H

Valuation Band: More than £320,000

2022/23: £3,845.99

The Council has also approved more than £400 million of investment for 2022/23.

The borough’s budget includes “significant” investment in services including waste, social care and support for the victims of domestic abuse.

The budget provides over £400 million of investment in frontline local services and new infrastructure, including:

  • Over £1 million more in funding for waste and recycling services
  • Extra investment in grass cutting and maintenance to keep the Borough’s parks and open spaces looking their best
  • More money for children's services, which are rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted
  • New investment in adult social care services
  • More resources to support those in need of housing
  • Funding to help people facing domestic abuse and violence
  • Millions of pounds to invest in affordable housing
  • A new special needs school
  • Two new libraries set to open in Sidcup and Thamesmead
  • Funding for regeneration in Erith

Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE commented that the Council is striving to give locals the best value for their money and support those that need it most.

She said: “Despite uncertainty about the economic outlook, I am pleased that we have delivered a balanced budget for the 2022/23 financial year.

“It includes significant investment in services that matter to our residents, including waste and recycling, grass cutting, social care and support for the victims of domestic abuse.

“We will continue to work to provide the best possible value for your money while supporting those who need it most.”

Deputy Council Leader Councillor David Leaf added: "This Budget provides more funding for the frontline services our residents need, use and rely on.

“This investment has been made possible because of the strong way we have managed the Council's finances and means we can make Bexley even better.

“As well as investing more in local services, we will continue to lobby the Government to reallocate funding based on updated statistics and data that reflects the changes that have taken place over recent years and the needs of our residents.

“Bexley deserves a fairer deal and this administration will continue to lobby and fight for more funding."

Despite financial challenges caused by the pandemic, a spokesperson for Bexley Council said the borough has managed budgets carefully.

A report into Bexley Council’s finances concluded: “The Council has been proactive in managing the unprecedented financial pressures that arose.

“The political leadership of the Council has demonstrated that it understands the financial challenges facing the organisation and their commitment to managing the medium-term financial resilience of the organisation.”

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