Ken Livingstone has promised to put policing and public safety “at the heart” of his budget for 2008, telling the Assembly that the GLA’s council tax precept will increase by “just 2.4 per cent or 14 pence per week” for band D properties.
The Mayor will publish his draft budget on Thursday 13th December 2007, members of the public will have until 14th January 2008 to make comments on the proposals.
According to the Mayor he has been able to find £272 million of savings and efficiencies across the GLA group of organisations which he promised would not impact on front line services.
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said he was “very pleased that I have been able to maintain and enhance my programme of investment in London’s key public services while keeping the Council Tax increase to well under inflation. This increase will allow police numbers to increase again in 2008 and further investment in London’s fire services.”
“Continued investment in more police on London’s street will keep up the downward pressure on crime which is now at an eight year low having fallen for four years in a row by a total of 15 per cent. The successful management of the transport system had allowed me to reduce bus fares earlier in the year and freeze all single fares in January.”
