The unusual site banners are to bring attention to the fact that Labour activists in Bexley are manipulating Facebook Groups with fictional posters. They deny it, threaten police action for ‘harassing’ a fictitious character and then demonstrate their willingness to impersonate by creating a false Administrator account in my name. The banner on display is chosen randomly from a selection of three, with a fourth bearing the familiar Bexley Council is Bonkers logo.
2 February (Part 1) - No ifs or buts. Tax up by 3·99%
While
the
disappointed young people were trooping out of the chamber, Chairman O’Neill
pressed on regardless such that the beginning of the next Agenda item was lost
among the sound of feet on wood and banging doors. However one could see Alison Griffin’s lips moving.
I heard her say that the Council Tax would be set on 2nd March. This year’s
overspend is currently £285,000 but Strategy 2018 has produced a £13 million
saving this year. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement was much worse for Bexley than anticipated.
There would be revision to the New Homes Bonus which forms such a big part of
Bexley’s growth strategy. Early in her speech Ms. Griffin made a direct reference to the 2% Adult
Care precept, a clear warning of the inevitable announcement to come.
There are plans for further savings of more than £21 million in 2016/17 rising
to £31 million by 2019/20 on top of the £63 million savings already achieved. If
this is possible what further proof can there be that Bexley Council has been
profligate with your money in the past? Bexley is close to being the
most highly taxed
London borough and just a single generation ago it was
close to being lowest.
In case the point had been missed, Ms. Griffin said “the planning assumption is
that Council Tax will rise by 1.99% and the 2% precept for social care will also be
used”. There will still be a gap of around £2 million in 2016/17 and £25 million by 2019/20.
The banging of doors and heavy footsteps obliterated the remainder of the Finance Director’s address but it was something about retaining Business Rates.