Lewisham Labour's Council Tax Rise Scrapes Through With Tory Help

12.00.00am GMT Tue 3rd Mar 2009

Lib Dem finance spokesman Cllr Alex Feakes

Lewisham's Labour Mayor was humiliated at last night's budget meeting as he was forced to rely on support from Lewisham's tiny Conservative Group to push through his 2.5% council tax hike.

Lewisham Liberal Democrats proposed a council tax freeze at the meeting as an alternative to the Labour's plan to put money into vague fund for 'recession-busting' initiatives. The Lib Dem proposal, which would have benefited over 100,000 households in the borough, was voted down by the Labour and Green groups.

After previously supporting the Lib Dem proposals to freeze Lewisham's council tax for 2009/10, two Conservative councillors abstained on the Mayor's budget, meaning that the vote was tied. The Conservative chair of the Council, who had the casting vote, then supported Labour's proposals to raise Lewisham's council tax by 2.5% - the 2nd highest increase in Inner London.

Cllr Chris Maines, Leader of the Lib Dem Group, said, "Labour's tax hike, supported by the Tories, will hit hard-working families in Lewisham who desperately need our help right now. For Labour and the Tories to push this rise through in the current economic climate is unforgivable".

Cllr Alex Feakes, Lib Dem Finance Spokesperson, said, "We wanted to give £2 million back to the people of Lewisham, but the Tories and Labour have decided that they know how to spend this money better than our local residents. They are totally out of touch with the people of this Borough The £2 million fund being set up by the Mayor is for vague and uncosted plans that only a few people might benefit from."

Cllr Alex Feakes added: "Council Tax hits the poorest hardest, and this has especially been the case in Lewisham - the total Council Tax rise in Lewisham under Labour is the highest in inner London: it's gone up by 196% since being introduced. Regardless of the economic climate, Labour keep on putting up our taxes. It's time to give people a break."