Wandsworth Council considers near-doubling of council tax

Wandsworth Council, led by the Conservatives, is considering raising council tax by £958 a year for a Band D property — a 94% increase. The proposal was discussed at an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday, though a final decision won't be made until February next year.

The council says the rise is needed because the government plans to cut its funding by £84m a year over the next three years. The change stems from a government review of how funding is distributed among councils, which will shift money away from some areas toward others.

After deciding to reduce the share of central funding for five London boroughs — Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Wandsworth, Hammersmith & Fulham and the City of London — plus Windsor and Maidenhead, the government granted these authorities the power to raise council tax above the usual 5% cap for two years.

Wandsworth has long kept one of the lowest council tax rates in London, currently averaging £1,020.35 for a Band D property, while several other London boroughs already charge above £2,000.

Conservative deputy leader and finance cabinet member Peter Graham acknowledged the increase would be unwelcome but blamed the government, urging residents to take part in a recently launched public consultation. Labour opposition leader Simon Hogg called the proposal unfair and unnecessary.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the funding reform is needed to modernise an outdated system, adding that transitional measures will protect councils from a sudden funding cliff. Wandsworth, along with Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, is also exploring legal means to formally challenge the government's funding cut proposals.