Issue - meetings

Motion K (2009/10)

Itwas movedby Councillor Egan andseconded byCllr Cooke that:

“This Council

Notes that:

•         The current financial climate is difficult for Haringey residents

•         Haringey Council is taking steps to help those residents who are affected by the recession, through schemes such as the Haringey Guarantee

•         That all Labour controlled London boroughs have announced plans to help residents by freezing their council tax

Believes:

•         That the Council has a responsibility to help our residents when they need it the most

•         The Council must spend tax payer's money wisely and ensure value for money

•         That excessive Council Tax increases, like those introduced in Lib Dem controlled Kingston, Sutton and Richmond, really hit residents in their pockets

Resolves

•         To freeze Council Tax for all Haringey residents next year

•         To continue to improve services by moving resources from the back office to the frontline”

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Butcher and seconded by Councillor Gorrie that:

Delete all after “The current financial climate is difficult for Haringey residents” and replace with

• Many London Council’s have announced plans to freeze or reduce Council Tax next year
• Liberal Democrat-led Council’s in Brent, Islington, Southwark and Camden have proposed Council Tax freezes next year
• The Labour Group rejected Liberal Democrat proposals last year to freeze Council Tax for local residents in Haringey facing the effects of the recession

Further notes

• Liberal Democrat Council’s in Sutton, Richmond and Kingston receive approximately 75% less funding from the Labour government than Haringey
• Sutton’s Council Tax rate is less than Haringey’s despite receiving significantly less government funding than Haringey
• The Audit Commission rated Richmond and Sutton as 4 star Council’s improving strongly and Kingston as a 3-star Council improving well
• Haringey is considered as a 1-star Council not improving adequately

Resolves

• Freeze Council Tax for all Haringey residents next year
• To continue to improve services by moving resources from the back office to the frontline

On being put to the vote there were 25 in favour of the amendment and 28 against and 2 abstentions. The amendment was declared LOST.

The motion was then put to the vote and with 54 in favour and 1 abstention was declared CARRIED.