Council leader condemns another big tax hike proposal from Commons Conservators 

Council leader Simon Hogg has condemned proposals from the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators for another inflation-busting rise in the levy they charge 28,000 Wandsworth households.

The conservators are planning a minimum 25 per cent rise in the bills they charge for maintaining their open spaces.

Last year their average charge to local residents subject to the levy was just under £36. This would rise to at least £45 if their current plans proceed.

Their last increase of just under 13 per cent came at a time when the council froze its share of council tax bills in support of residents struggling to make ends meet in the cost-of-living crisis.

Simon Hogg said: “The scale of this proposed increase, coming after last year’s unreasonable rise of almost 13 per cent, is totally unacceptable.

“We froze council tax bills because we wanted to support our residents through the economic downturn. The Conservators did the opposite and are now looking to hit our residents with another unjustifiable increase in bills.

“We simply cannot and will not support another increase on that level.”

The levy is charged to households living close to Wimbledon Common and also those in the old parish of Putney and is collected through council tax bills. It is paid by residents living in the boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton and Kingston.

The conservators have launched a public consultation on their plans which concludes on October 29. Residents subject to the levy are being urged to take part and have their say on the proposals.