Politics
Greenwich Local Investment Referendum Scheduled for November, with Council Tax Adjustments Projected from April 2027
Greenwich residents will receive updated council tax notices in spring 2027 if the referendum measure on local service funding passes this November.
How we reported this
The Royal Borough of Greenwich will place a local investment measure on the November ballot that asks residents to approve an increase in the community infrastructure levy on new developments. The measure directly affects households through potential shifts in council tax allocations starting in the 2027-28 billing cycle.
Council budget papers released in March 2026 identified a £12 million shortfall in capital funding for road repairs and park maintenance after national grant reductions took effect. The referendum process follows the Local Government Finance Act 1992 provisions that require a public vote when a borough seeks to exceed the referendum threshold on tax-setting powers.
Effects on Greenwich Households
Residents in wards such as Eltham and Woolwich would see the levy proceeds directed first to scheduled pavement resurfacing on 18 specific streets listed in the council's highways plan. Families using Greenwich parks could notice extended opening hours at facilities including Maryon Park if the measure passes, as the funding would cover an additional £2.4 million in annual maintenance contracts.
Business rates in the town centre would remain unchanged under the current draft, though policy analysts note that any approved levy increase would appear as a separate line on the April 2027 council tax bill rather than an immediate change this year.
Next Steps in the Process
Voter information packs will be mailed by 15 October, according to the returning officer's published timetable. Ballots close at 10pm on 5 November, with results expected the following morning. The government says the first payments from the new levy would reach the council by June 2027 if the measure receives majority support.