Haringey Council to freeze its element of council tax in 2013

Highgate council tax: Haringey Council has announced that it will freeze its council tax element next year.

The commitment, announced this morning, means a fourth consecutive year of council tax freeze in Haringey and underlines the council's commitment to supporting squeezed families.

The decision comes in the wake of figures released by the Office for National Statistics that revealed incomes have fallen by an average of 13% since the start of the economic crisis.

And it means that the average family in Haringey will save around £35 per year compared to an inflation-level rise of 3% on the council's element of the tax. Over four years, the saving represents more than £140 against a 3% annual increase.

Haringey is one of only three London boroughs to have committed to freezing council tax for 2013/14.

Cllr Joe Goldberg, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "Haringey residents are facing the reality of record high energy bills, salary freezes and government cuts to benefits including child benefit and working tax credits.

"To add a council tax rise to these spiralling living costs would be a hammer blow to many."

The freeze announced today will apply to the council element of the council tax only. Residents also pay a London-wide precept to the Greater London Authority.

The plans will be agreed as part of the 2013/14 budget setting process by the council's Cabinet before going before Full Council for ratification in February 2013.