Capital faces post-Games increase in council tax

Londoners face a sharp rise in council tax after 2012 to pay for the upkeep of the Olympic stadiums, it has been revealed.

The proposals, in a London Development Agency-commissioned report and seen by the Standard, mean bad news for taxpayers unless tenants are found for the venues.

It comes just days after Olympic bosses warned of the 'urgent' need to find uses for the sports venues after the Games amid fears they could be potential white elephants.

A confidential memo said there is "substantial and growing political pressure" to appoint an agency soon to handle the legacy issue for venues such has the Velodrome Centre and BMX course and the White Water Canoe Course in Broxbourne.

Under Government plans the bill will be spread across London authorities, while Essex and Hertfordshire councils will also face charges.

Bob Neill, MP for Bromley and a member of the London Assembly said: "This is outrageously sneaky and a classic example of stealth tax. Ken Livingstone gets to look good because he is not directly asking for any more money, but Londoners will have to fork out anyway.

"Council tax payers who live miles away from the park will see a significant hike in their bills for something they never use, let alone see."

The move would come as part of possible plans to hand management of the Games' legacy to the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority which costs each London borough around £400,000 a year to fund. But that figure could soar if it gets the task of maintaining old Olympic stadiums.