Council tax bills could rise by nearly £100 for band D properties in Barnet if planned increases go ahead.
A 4.99 per cent rise in council tax was approved at a meeting of Barnet Council’s policy and resources committee on Monday.
It is made up of a 1.99 per cent rise in core tax and a 3 per cent increase in a levy used to fund adult social care.
City Hall wants to hike its share of council tax by more than 9 per cent – but there is a question mark over whether this will go ahead after the Mayor of London’s budget was voted down by members of the London Assembly in January.
READ MORE: Sadiq Khan's proposed GLA budget voted down by London Assembly
Taken together, the rises would push band D bills up by £95.15 in 2021-22, to £1,700.99.
Speaking at the committee meeting, council leader Cllr Dan Thomas said it would be an “understatement” to say that it had been a challenging year, financially.
“Despite the uncertainty, we have managed to table a balanced budget for next year, to be decided at the forthcoming full council meeting,” he added.
The budget report reveals the council plans to make savings totalling £10.5 million during 2021-22, including £2 million in adults and safeguarding and £2.8 million in children, education and safeguarding.
It was approved when Conservative members of the committee voted in favour. Labour councillors voted against, with leader Cllr Barry Rawlings pledging to submit a better budget at full council.
If full council approves the budget on March 2, the tax increases will take effect from April.
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