Opposition say: council tax precept can save threatened day centres ahead of budget publication

Lib Dem opposition councillors have repeated their calls for the Labour Cabinet Member for Finance in Haringey to seriously consider a small council tax precept to save vital adult care services.  Local adult care services in Haringey are currently being cut by the Labour-run council with day centres and other services closing.

The calls come ahead of the publication of Haringey Council’s draft budget. The budget is due to be published early next week ahead of the Cabinet meeting on the 19th January.
 
The Government during the Autumn Statement that councils can place a precept on council tax of 2% and that the money raised would be ring-fenced for adult social care services. Some councils are already considering using this option, including the Conservative-run London Borough of Havering Council, Conservative Medway Council and Labour-run Telford & Wrekin Council. Havering Council estimate the change would only cost their local residents in the average, Band D property, an extra 47p a week.
 
The Liberal Democrats in Haringey have repeatedly called on the Labour Council to seriously consider the council tax precept to protect vital services for vulnerable adults in the borough. Last year, they were so concerned about the cuts to adult care services they called in Labour’s budget for a review by the council’s scrutiny committee.
 
Cllr Pippa Connor, Haringey Lib Dem Spokesperson for Adults and Health, comments:
 
"The Labour-run council should seriously consider using this option; it could be used to save some of the day centres earmarked for closure. The extra money which could be raised has been estimated to be nearly £2 million pounds in Haringey, vital funds which could allow the council to strengthen and protect those social care services for those with the greatest need.
 
"Both Labour and Conservative councils are looking at using this option, so why we can't we consider it here in Haringey?
 
"The Liberal Democrats believe that supporting our most vulnerable residents with the greatest level of care need is a fundamental principal and one to which I am sure Haringey residents would wish us to fight for."

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