COUNCIL tax rises for Bromley remain in the balance despite the announcement of more Government funding than expected.

The £182,922,000 Revenue Support Grant (RSG) announced last week will provide approximately two-thirds of the council's funding for the next financial year. But most of the remaining third must come from Council Tax.

A series of public meetings is planned to ask residents how they want the public purse strings to be managed.

No accurate prediction is yet available for the actual level of next year's Council Tax as outside funding for social services, the cost of salary increases, GLA contributions and waste removal have yet to be established.

The News Shopper reported in October the borough treasurer Paul Dale predicted a possible 21 per cent increase if belts were not tightened.

While the borough's politicians have differing views on how cash should be spent, they are all agreed residents' views are vital.

Council leader Councillor Michael Tickner said: "The RSG is slightly better than expected for the whole of London but I still have serious concerns.

"There are many factors yet to be determined, such as the teachers' pay rise, which costs us £900,000 for every one per cent.

"We still hope to keep the increase down to single figures. I hope residents can tell us what to put first, and what can be cut.

"Everyone has a budget and makes choices, which is what we have to do with Council Tax."

Lib Dem leader Councillor Chris Maines said: "No-one can criticise the size of the RSG but a single figure increase in Council Tax could hit services for vulnerable people in the borough.

"I hope people will turn out and express their views at meetings but I am worried only the articulate will be heard, and some of the weaker people will suffer."

Labour leader Peter Fookes added: "No-one can complain about the size of the RSG.

"I hope people will attend the public meetings but that they don't become dominated by specific issues.

"Obviously, I don't want to see services decimated but nobody wants to put Council Tax up."

Public meetings will be held at the following places, with council officers and councillors from all parties. All meetings start at 7.30pm:

January 8: St Paul's Cray Primary School, Buttermere Road, Orpington

January 9: Hayes Primary School, George Lane, Hayes

January 14: Kelsey Park Secondary School, Manor Way, Beckenham

January 15: Green Street Green Primary School, Vine Road, Green Street Green

January 22: Alexandra Junior School, Cator Road, Sydenham

January 23: Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley

January 28: Red Hill Primary School, Red Hill, Chislehurst

January 30: Crofton Junior School, Towncourt Lane, Orpington

February 5: Oak Lodge Primary School, Chamberlain Crescent, West Wickham

February 6: Charles Darwin Secondary School, Jail Lane, Biggin Hill

December 10, 2001 15:43

Sarah Warden