Half an hour free parking set to return in new budget proposals but council tax to increase by 4.99%.

The first budget under the new administration in Havering has been set out today, Wednesday 1 February. The proposed budget will see the return of the 30 minutes free parking across Hornchurch and Upminster, but will see parking then go up for the next hour from £1.50 to £2.10 pence.

Controversially Council Tax is set to increase by the maximum of 4.99% alongside at GLA precept of nearly 10%.

Numerous services have been altered to make savings which we have repeatedly been told that we need to make to stop the borough from going under.

Havering’s Leader of the Council today set out his new budget proposals that will go to Cabinet next week.The leader spoke frankly and openly about how hard this budget has been against such difficult financial back drops and how he knows it will not please everyone.

Councillor Morgon told the Havering Daily:

“This has been a very tough budget to set out as we have had to make significant changes. We have been very open in telling our residents that we have had to make £70 million worth of savings in 4-5 years to stop us being a bankrupt council.

“Unfortunately we have had to increase Council Tax by the maximum as 70% of Havering Council funding comes from Council Tax payers.

“We know we have had to make some tough choices, and we hope our residents understand the difficult challenges that face us as a council.”

Full report to follow.

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