Council Tax cut for the hardest hit leads list of proposals
Bromley Labour is proposing to invest just 2% of the council’s reserves to fund a borough-wide COVID Recovery Plan. Labour’s recovery plan is headed by a council tax cut for approximately 10,000 Bromley residents hardest hit by the economic fall out of the pandemic.
Labour is also proposing support for Bromley’s small business and high streets as well as for young people and those suffering from worsening mental health.
“Bromley is facing its greatest ‘rainy day’ in living memory, so now is the time to show leadership and invest in a borough wide Covid Recovery Plan,” said Angela Wilkins, Leader of the Labour Group on Bromley Council.
“By investing less than 2% of total borough reserves we can make a real difference to those who have suffered from months of lockdowns, business inactivity, job losses and isolation.
“Labour has a coherent and affordable plan for recovery, and we offer the political leadership which is currently missing. COVID has exploited many inequalities in society as well as creating new ones. These have to be addressed.” added Cllr Wilkins.
Labour’s COVID Recovery Plan, unveiled as part of its response to the annual budget, includes:
- Setting up a multi-agency team to coordinate a comprehensive COVID recovery strategy for the borough
- A one-year tax break for working age claimants in Bands A-D (meaning they will pay no council tax this year
- A new commission to identify and address major inequalities facing minority groups
- £1 million of targeted support for Bromley’s High Streets and small local businesses
- A new “Young Futures” service to replace Bromley’s existing Youth Services, plus support for young people including apprenticeships and free leisure passes for under 18s receiving free school meals
- Faster house building and support for renters when the national government’s eviction ban ends
- Increased investment in mental well-being and preventative public health measures
- Investment in parks and open spaces, increased air monitoring and initiatives to return residential streets to residents by clamping down on anti-social drivers
“Failing to make these investments today will not only let down the people of Bromley. It will be a false economy – and lead to greater social and financial costs in the long run,” said Councillor Wilkins.
