AHEAD of the Budget Setting meeting of Full Council on Thursday February 7, Cabinet members met to discuss the Council’s Corporate Plan 2019-20 and the Housing Revenue and General Fund Budgets

Members voted unanimously to adopt the Corporate Plan and to recommend to Council that the Budgets be approved.

Speaking after the meeting, Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Mike Danvers said; “It is very pleasing to be able to present a General Fund Budget which enables us to maintain the same level of services with just a 2% increase on our portion of residents’ Council Tax.

“For the average household, this will mean about a 10p increase per week for which they will continue to enjoy such services as Pets Corner, the Museum, the Playhouse, the Town Park, the annual fireworks display and the paddling pools.

“Of course, the County Council may impose a greater increase on the portion they collect, but what we’re proposing is very good news for residents, particularly when you consider that Tory central Government has cut our funding by 52% since 2013/14.

“There can be no arguing with this administration’s sound financial management, and I would like to acknowledge the hard work of officers in supporting us to continue to deliver value for residents.”

Highlights of the budget include:

The creation of a housing and regeneration company that will build council housing and return profits to the Council for re-investment in the Town;
Additional money for homelessness and rough sleepers. Harlow is one of the local authorities in Essex to offer Severe Weather Provision;
Up to £1.5m has been set aside for fire safety for Harlow residents subject to the findings of the Public Inquiry into the Grenfell tragedy;
Funds to tackle fuel poverty in all supported housing complexes;
Funds to maintain decent home standards for all those living in council housing.

Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Mark Wilkinson said; “As austerity continues to bite hard, it is very pleasing that this Labour administration is proposing a Budget that ensures that we will be able to provide for the most vulnerable in our community.

“I am also very pleased that the Council will start its ambitious house building programme in the new financial year and that we will be offering 11 new apprenticeships all paid at the National Living Wage.”