Kingston and Surbiton Conservatives - Kingston: Highest Council Tax in London

Highest Council Tax in London

Kingston suffers from the Highest Council Tax in London

Why is tax so high? Since 2000 the number of staff employed by Lib Dem run Kingston Council has risen by 37%. In the last year alone they have added another 500 staff.

“I came into local government to spend money not to save it!”

Cllr Derek Osbourne (The leader of the Lib Dems)

The news gets worse as it has been revealed that services have declined since the Lib Dems took control. The Government downgraded Kingston in 2005 from one of the best authorities in the country to receiving only 2 out of 4 stars in an area like the environment. Yet they have massively increased staff and whacked the Council tax up by over 50%

Kevin Davis, the Conservative Leader on Kingston Council, has said: “This will be shocking to Kingston residents and painful for the elderly and needy. We need to see action to reduce the rising tide of Council staff and lessen the burden of Council Tax. In May we have local elections when we have the opportunity to throw out the Lib Dems and install leaders in Guildhall who want to give residents a fair deal rather than just spend their money needlessly.”

What could Council Tax be at the next General Election if we had a Lib Dem Ran Council?

The Lib Dems have Kingston the Highest Council Tax in London. But what would happen if you elected them again on May 4th?

Over the past four years Lib Dem Council Tax increases have averaged almost 9% every year. If they win again how much could you be paying? At Band D your tax will be over £2,000.00. At Band F you will be paying just under £3,000.00.

The Conservatives pledge that should you elect them to run the Council they will seek to reduce Council Tax by cutting back on bureaucracy and the 40% extra staff employed since 2000. Have your services improved by 40%? In the year 2004/5 the Lib Dems introduced 500 more staff.

This chart will tell you how much Council Tax YOU could be paying by the time you have the next opportunity to throw the Lib Dems out of the Guildhall, Can you afford them?

	Council Tax rates now	Lib Dem Council Tax rates at the next general election
Band D	£1,448	£2,033
Band E	£1,770	£2,485
Band F	£2,092	£2,938
Band G	£2,414	£3,390
Band H	£2,897	£4,068

Cllr Kevin Davis, Leader of the Conservative Group said:

“The choice is clear. Either you want to see more Lib Dem bureaucrats and higher Council Tax or you vote for a party that puts the Resident First and reduces spending on staff to reduce your Council Tax bill. Refuse our offer and the cost will to residents could be dear”