10 March 2009
Finance Chairman says City Corporation faces 'very difficult
financial environment'
Philip Willoughby, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the
City of London Corporation presented the 2009/10 annual estimates
and capital budgets to the Court of Common Council on Thursday 5
March 2009.
Key points in his speech were:
- focus will be on efficiencies rather than cutting front-line
services;
- long-term productivity drive rather than short-term draconian
measures;
- very challenging, if not severe conditions still lie
ahead;
- public sector organisations – face a very difficult financial
environment for some time to come;
Philip Willoughby said: "The City Corporation’s own finances
have not been sheltered from the raging storms which have had a
major impact on our investment incomes…there is little doubt that
all of us – and especially public sector organisations – face a
very difficult financial environment for some time to come."
He added: "As far as we are able, we want to assist City
businesses and residents during these difficult times. Whilst it is
the Government that sets the Business Rate increase, and there is
nothing we can do but to pass it on, this objective has guided our
thinking in recommending the Council Tax levels for 2009/10 for the
Square Mile."
Read the full speech here
The Band D residential council tax for the City of London for
2009/10 is set at £942.79 which includes a precept of £85.48 for
the Greater London Authority.
Last year’s Band D tax was £923.30 (including GLA-set precept)
and the increase this year was 2.1 % within which the City-set
council tax rose 2% and the GLA-set precept rose 3.2%.
The business rate premium remains at the 2007/08 and 2008/09
level of 0.4 pence in the rateable pound. This premium will raise
£4.6 million to be spent on police, contingency planning and
security.
For further details please contact:
Susanna Howard
Press Office
susanna.howard@cityoflondon.gov.uk
020 7332 3450
Notes to editors:
About the City of London Corporation: The City
of London Corporation provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain. The
Corporation works nationally and internationally to maintain and
enhance the City as a world-leading international financial and
business centre. It also serves London and the UK with special
responsibilities such as the Barbican Arts Centre, the Central
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space
including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food
markets, three inner-London City Academies, the City Bridge Trust,
economic regeneration programmes in neighbouring boroughs and
acting as London’s Port Health Authority.