Labour raise Council Tax despite cost-of-living crisis, Conservatives freeze it
■ Labour-controlled Camden Council have decided, in the face of all protests against, to raise Council Tax by the maximum of 4.99%.■ This is completely out of touch with local residents, who now more than ever are having to make difficult budgeting decisions. Camden’s Conservative Councillors proposed a considerate and carefully calculated alternative, of an increase of just 1.5%. This can be done by sharing services with other central London boroughs, as well as renting off the top two floors of the new Town Hall.
■ Meanwhile, Conservative-run Kensington and Chelsea Council are freezing their part of Council Tax,. They are makig a one-off £100 payment to all households in Bands A to D. We believe in lower taxes, even at a local council level.
Laughing gas ban after discovery in Camden playground
The Government is stepping in to make sure families feel safer in our community - including by raising fines for fly-tipping, litter and graffiti, and also banning the possession of nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
■ This has been a major problem across our borough: during a community litter-pick in January, one of your local Conservative team found three 640g cannisters hidden in and around the grounds of a children’s play centre. Camden Council bin collectors refused to take them, and so we had to take them to the nearest police station.
Strong government action is needed to prevent further damage. Standing up for council tenants ■ Social housing should be safe, secure and well maintained. ■ The Government has launched a new ‘Make Things Right’ campaign, to make it easier for tenants to make complaints to your landlord. This includes Camden Council and all other Local Councils, as well as private landlords. ■ Find our more at www.camden.team/SocialHousingComplaints