Council tax freeze passed at Havering full council
The budget was the main topic of conversation at Havering Town Hall. - Credit: Archant
Council tax will be frozen after budget and special responsibility allowance proposals were passed at full council last night, with all amendments rejected.
After a well-mannered debate at Havering Town Hall, councillors voted convincingly in favour of the freeze, with only four opposing the idea.
There were notable absentees at what was described as one of “the most important council meetings of the year” by deputy leader Cllr Michael Armstrong (Conservative, Pettits), amongst others.
The Independent Residents’ Group had no representatives present, while Cllr Damian White (Conservative, Hylands) arrived more than two hours late.
As a result they missed out on leader of the opposition Cllr Clarence Barrett (Residents’ Group, Cranham) proposing £450,000 worth of amendements to the budget proposal, which included reducing the number of councillors who receive special responsiblity allowances (SRA), and the amount they receive.
You may also want to watch:
Council leader, Cllr Steven Kelly (Conservative, Emerson Park) praised the council after the fifth consecutive freeze in council tax.
He added: “10 years ago this borough was on its knees and now it is one of the best in the country.”
Most Read
- 1 Illegal car meet in Rainham sees 49 fined for Covid breaches
- 2 Letters: Social distancing, vaccination experience and how to stop catalytic converter thefts
- 3 Infection rates are now falling in Havering - is lockdown working?
- 4 Havering parks and gardens five feet under water as rivers burst their banks
- 5 70% of Havering residents voted to leave the EU
- 6 Fines issued to Romford and Upminster restaurants flouting coronavirus restrictions
- 7 'It was surreal': Hornchurch personal trainer wins £10k with family on TV gameshow
- 8 Brentwood Tudor church damaged in illegal New Year's Eve party raises nearly £20,000 for repairs
- 9 Doctors and nurses 'exhausted' as hospitals reach breaking point
- 10 More than 100 Covid dead at Queen's and King George this week
Cllr Keith Darvill (Labour, Heaton) also offered “modest” amendments which were not supported.