The Chancellor of the Exchequer presented his Autumn Statement to the House of Commons on 25 November 2015. The Chancellor is planning far deeper cuts for local authorities than in any other major economy.

The Local Government Financial Settlement (LGFS) has just been announced and Havering has received a revenue support grant - which is the main part of the settlement - of £20.9m. This is £10.8m less than last year.

This is significantly lower than expected, and puts the Council in a very difficult position, with a greater funding gap now expected at the end of 2017/18.

The Chancellor has permitted councils to increase Council Tax levels by up to two per cent to meet the increasing costs of Adult Social Care, while at the same time cutting Havering's government grant.

Councillor Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council, said: “The government financial settlement for Havering is disappointing to say the least, and means we have to make more difficult decisions to close the funding gap. 

“It’s a well-known fact that the majority of Council funds are spent on social care, and having the oldest population in London means we need much more than most to offer our residents the care that they deserve. 

“To help reduce the funding gap, we are now consulting with residents on the proposals put forward by the Chancellor to increase Council Tax by two per cent, with the extra money to be used to support our most vulnerable older residents.  

"This would mean residents paying Council Tax for a Band D property would pay just 47p per week more.”

A full report will be submitted to the Cabinet on Wednesday 20 January detailing the implications for the Borough.

You can watch the Cabinet meeting live here.

We would like your views on our proposals to increase Council Tax to support our most vulnerable older residents.

In line with the Chancellor’s Autumn announcement of a social care precept of two per cent on Council Tax, would you be prepared to pay an extra £0.47p per week to support the continued provision of care for vulnerable adults in Havering? (Figure based on Council Tax on a Band D property)

Click here to let us know before Tuesday 2 February.

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