Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets
Budget 2012/13
My absolute priority as Mayor is to protect
the most vulnerable in our community at a time of national
austerity. At the same time, I will always strive to deliver value
for money.
This year’s budget sets us apart from many
other inner London boroughs. Where they are cutting services, I am
doing my very best to maintain them. This year, I am
continuing to protect frontline services. We will not be
closing any libraries, children’s centres or leisure centres, nor
will we be making any charges for home help care.
In addition to setting a budget which protects
frontline services, my budget ensures that council tax is frozen
for the third year running, making it one of the lowest in
London; the council’s commitment to the London Living
Wage is increased through contracts, the use of fair
trade products and practices in the borough is extended
and our relationship with the co-operative movement to
look at setting up a energy co-operative is consolidated.
Following months of discussion and planning,
my budget was approved at Full Council on February 22
2012, enabling us to continue with our work swiftly. Key
elements include:
- Council tax freeze for the third year running
- All children’s centres, libraries, leisure centres and youth
service provisions will remain open
- Homecare provision will remain free for residents with care and
support needs, making us the only borough not to charge for
homecare
- Frontline and lower paid council staff will be protected
- Grant levels for voluntary and community organisations will be
maintained
- Funding for an additional 17 police officers to patrol the
borough’s streets
A number of proposed amendments were accepted
and include:
- £50 council tax rebate for the over-60s
- Provision of debt support for residents
- £250 bonus for the very lowest paid council staff
- Funding for a worker to support women and girls experiencing
violence
- Introduction of Tower Hamlets Aim Higher - a new programme
to encourage young people into higher education
I am committed to ensuring that while we have
fewer resources, we do everything in our power to help local
people, particularly those who are vulnerable.
I am pleased that local councillors shared
this commitment and helped make the budget setting process as
straightforward as possible, so that we can focus on delivering the
best services possible in 2012 and beyond.
You can contact Mayor Lutfur Rahman at:
Executive Support Office
Town Hall, Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 4993
Email: mayor@towerhamlets.gov.uk