Volunteers wanted to pay extra council tax

Volunteers wanted to pay extra council tax: Wandsworth residents facing 5.7% bill hikes

Residents in some areas could soon be asked to make extra council tax contributions on top of their regular bills.

One council, Wandsworth, in South West London, is currently consulting on plans to launch ‘voluntary community contributions’.

The borough has long boasted of charging the cheapest council tax rates in the country. 

Wandsworth, in South West London (pictured), is currently consulting on plans to launch ‘voluntary community contributions’ 

But the area’s councillors now claim that some wealthier residents would be happy to pay more and have sent residents brochures asking for feedback on the proposed scheme.

Households in the London borough face 5.7 per cent bill hikes of up to £92.

Additional contributions would be paid into an independent charitable trust and help fund community initiatives such as planting trees or refurbishing children’s play areas.

Wandsworth Council leader Ravi Govindia says: ‘Residents say they would be willing to pay more council tax. It could be used to pay for extra things and it will be absolutely voluntary.’

Westminster Council has a similar scheme and has raised more than £1 million since it was set up in 2018.