News from Bromley Labour

Good services have to be paid for in Bromley

This is the text of a letter published in the Bromley News Shopper from Cllr John Getgood, Leader of the Labour Group on Bromley Council:

David West’s letters regarding Council Tax raise some interesting issues.

However, in nearly 8 years on the council I do not recognise a single post in Bromley that has been forced on the council tax payer by the government. Bromley Council officers work hard to provide much needed services and improve the quality of life for all the people of Bromley, especially those that need them most. I wish they could do more.

Bromley’s central government grant has not been reduced. It is undoubtedly lower than most. That is because grants to all councils are measured in the same way, according to the level of need in the borough as a whole and the ability a council has to raise funds through council tax. There will always be arguments over the accuracy of a complex system but is does not discriminate against boroughs of any particular political control. Those who argue that the government should give Bromley more are arguing that the poorer areas of the country should subsidise the wealthier.

Voters in Bromley will vote again on the level of service and council tax they want in May this year. I am proud to represent part of the population in Bromley that recognises that good services have to be paid for and that sometimes the aim of securing the lowest level of council tax (which is what Bromley has currently) is not necessarily the best policy. Small amounts of money could significantly improve services to the elderly and to young people.

Of course, we support the elimination of duplication and waste but we also support the unique role that public services can have in ensuring our quality of life.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr John Getgood
Leader, Labour Group
Bromley Council

Other news from Bromley Labour

• Bromley Council Tax to rise after Tories fail to back Labour's call for a freeze - 17 February 2010
• London's Conservative Councils are a threat to the Freedom Pass - 8 February 2010
• Bromley Council to watch performance of Dial-A-Ride - 17 December 2009