Click for the latest update.(01/03/23)

If agreed, the Council will spend its budget on protecting front line services and invest in key areas that will make a real difference for residents: 

• £1.8 million for waste services and keeping streets and town centres clean
• almost £1million to continue supporting the most vulnerable with the cost-of-living crisis through Greenwich Supports
• £1 million for our parks and open spaces
• £500,000 new hardship fund for council tenants

This is in addition to our commitment to building more council homes, providing free lunches for school children during the holidays, and investing in our town centres.  

Cllr Ivis Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value, said:  “The Government has been slashing our funding year after year, leaving us to do more with less, as well as battling inflation. Since 2010, our borough alone has absorbed £150 million in real-term cuts. 

“We can only provide vital services over the next year by increasing council tax, and some fees and charges for specific services, to generate an additional £8million - so we’re proposing to raise our element of council tax by £1.99 per week, based on a Band D property. This includes the amount given to the Greater London Authority to pay for police and transport across London, but our council tax rates would still be lower than neighbouring Bexley.” 

Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “For over a decade austerity has decimated our budgets, we then battled a pandemic, and we are now dealing with unprecedented inflation. Local councils across the country are all faced with the same impossible decisions, with some even facing bankruptcy.  

“Government funding is based on out of date formulas and old data about our population. Residents in Royal Greenwich deserves more funding than we are getting. That’s why I’ve written to the Prime Minister to call for fairer funding, and I’m asking residents to join me by co-signing my letter. 

“We estimate that we will need an additional £32.5million by 2026/27 to keep our vital local services running. In that time the population will only grow further, demand will only increase, pressure will only mount. There is only so much we can ask of taxpayers. We’re beyond stretched now, and we risk reaching breaking point without responsible funding from the Government.” 

Through our budget consultation more than half of residents who took part told us they were in favour of a rise in council tax. Ninety-six percent wanted front line services to be protected and 55% wanted the Council to increase its income through our fees and charges. Other priority funding areas for residents were: 

• social care services - 83% in favour  
• reducing poverty and trying to support residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis - 65% in favour  
• building more affordable council housing – 60% 

Sign our letter to the Prime Minister 

Get more information on our council tax support scheme and other help with the cost-of-living

Did you know you can view your council tax balance, see and download your bills and make payments, through our online service? Signup online  

Read the full proposals for the Council’s Annual Budget 2023/2024 in full