Spending for the year ahead
What is in your bill ?
BUDGET
Spending for the year ahead
The council has committed to investing in a number of projects in 2017 / 18 , including : n Modernising school buildings ; and expanding schools to help meet demand for places for pupils with special educational needs n Improving community facilities and preserving heritage at Gunnersbury Park – including building various new sports facilities n Continuing the restoration of Pitzhanger Manor House & Gallery ( including new cafe ) n Continuing transformation of Southall Manor House into a training centre and restaurant , as well as ongoing transport improvements in the town n Beginning work on the rebuilding and modernisation of Gurnell Leisure Centre n More playground improvements
n £ 13million of additional adult social care provision , including improvements to the Solace Centre , and grants for home adaptations n Improvements to certain local shopping parades as part of an ongoing programme n £ 3.5million of ongoing investment to continue to renew our roads and footways n Transport improvements in central Ealing – from Hangar Lane and Ealing Common down to The Mall n Start work on the transformation of Ealing Town Hall n Continuing with the estates regeneration programme , including at South Acton , Copley and Havelock estates .
£ 280.02 for band D taxpayers this year , an increase of £ 4.02 per year – which is less than eight pence per week .
YEARS OF FROZEN RATES The council has frozen core council tax rates for the previous eight years through careful financial management ; acting decisively to make savings ; working to boost the local economy and encouraging investment in the area , including much needed new homes . This has generated millions of pounds in additional funds through business rates and council tax payments .
Reductions to its main government grant , increased demand for services and rising costs have meant that the council has needed to identify £ 168million worth of savings since 2010 . Approximately 80 % have already been achieved , and the remainder will all have to be delivered by 2020 . The council expects its main government grant to reduce by a further £ 24.9million in the next four years .
‘ SOCIAL CARE IN CRISIS ’ Councillor Yvonne Johnson , cabinet member for finance , performance and customer services , said : “ Social care is in crisis across the country and we need a national funding solution . Instead , the burden has been laid at the feet of local authorities as the government cuts funding and assumes we ’ ll pick up the tab .
“ Looking after the borough ’ s most vulnerable people is one of the most vital things we do and also the most costly . But we cannot turn our backs on those who need us . Sadly this year we had little choice but to pass on the government ’ s social care precept . Nevertheless , we remain committed to freezing core council tax for as long as possible .”
Last year , the council created a special £ 5million social care transformation fund for children ’ s and adult services which will be used to redesign services so that fewer people need intensive help in future years .
What is in your bill ?
The middle ‘ band D ’ council tax bill for 2017 / 18 will come to £ 1,361.15 . This includes : n The council ’ s core tax , which is £ 1,059.93 n The government ’ s social care precept of £ 21.20
n And the GLA precept of £ 280.02 ( for things like policing ). around ealing Spring 2017 7