Harlow Council tenants bear brunt of Tory budget says former Labour leader
News / Sat 12th Mar 2022 at 11:07am
THE shadow portfolio holder for Housing believes that Harlow Council tenants are bearing the brunt of the Conservative budget.
Cllr Mark Wilkinson said: “The local Conservatives are quick to brag about their budget, but they are not so forthcoming about the additional burden that they are putting on the residents of Harlow on lower incomes.
“With gas and electric bills going through the roof and no sign that the Conservative government have any plans to do anything about it, the local Conservatives have put the amount of rent up by a massive 4.1%, the highest rise in 10 years (which is incidentally when they were last in power in Harlow.) When I questioned them on this at a recent council meeting the response from the current portfolio holder for housing was that this 4.1% increase was one which was handed down by government. He would have you believe that his hands are tied. This is not the case.
“While the Conservatives in Harlow focus on gimmicks and soundbites, and championing a budget which will put a huge burden on council finances for years to come, they’re once again passing on the bill to council house tenants in our town, at a time when they can ill afford it. Let’s remember also that it is this callous Conservative government who since 2010 have cut council funding by 70%.
“I once again urge the Conservatives to reconsider but fear my words may fall on deaf ears”.
Daniel
2022-03-12 12:23:09
As if Cllr Wilkinson done anything for the hard worker Harlow residents. The only thing him and the rest of the Former Labour administration party of Harlow ever done for the hard working Harlow residents of Harlow was put more financial strain on them by increasing the council tax eight times in nine years of being the administration party of Harlow.
The working class prospective
2022-03-12 12:43:34
That's inflation for you. Caused by decisions made by government not local government. Also part of the governments scheme of "making work pay". There's many more working class on the fine line of earning too much to get any help but too little to make a difference which are in a worse place. Good thing for the working class we are actually now seeing and receiving efforts made by the local council. Helping with lowering council tax, improving on council future proofing with solar panels, extra car parking spaces in vital areas and free local council owned car parks. I think they've already made a good start
Tony Durcan
2022-03-12 14:59:44
Well said Mark you clearly have touched a Tory nerve with the Local Tory spin Doctor in full reverse. We’re worse off under the Tories. Light the blue touch paper and wait for the MPs Spin Doctor explode into reaction. Personal insults expected
Marie Compton
2022-03-12 18:12:07
Rent increases are nothing to do with the local council. They are fixed by legislation so Cllr Wilkinson is either ignorant or deliberately lying. This Council has cut Harlow tax as promised and not reduced any services. It has also announced the largest council house building programme for decades and a much needed regeneration programme. Tony Durcan should be providing answers as to why he wasted over £1.3 million on paying consultants for projects that never happened such as Lister House. Where did all that money go Mr Durcan? Think you owe an explanation to the people of Harlow.
Tony Durcan
2022-03-12 18:33:14
Interesting that we get a reaction as predicted about this issue from the MPs spin Doctor but totally silence on the story about pot holes and Sir Rod. Just another classic example of Tory spin.
Applemac
2022-03-12 19:19:55
Social housing rents remain heavily subsidised even with this increase and in reality it’s the rest of us that are contributing towards this whilst not having the luxury of a cheap rent. My private rent has just increased to £1400 a month so I’m grateful for any help I can get - non social housing renters are struggling much more!
Brian Jacobs
2022-03-12 21:06:49
Mr Durcan might like to check his geography. Sir Rod was working on roads in Lower Sheering. He might notice (although in his case, I doubt it) that Lower Sheering falls under Epping Forest Council, not Harlow.
Carlos
2022-03-13 07:09:02
Is Labour still a party?
Jamie Henderson
2022-03-13 09:49:16
Mr Durcan, Harlow had all the present potholes throughout Labour’s decade in administration. There are about a handful of Labour councillors on Essex County Council who have done nothing to improve the situation. You know full well that your party did nothing about this. In fact, you might have noticed that a number of potholes in Harlow have recently been repaired. So the situation is improving. Give credit when it is due.
Richard Porter
2022-03-13 16:29:12
To the person saying council renters are heavily subsidised , that’s just not true as far as I know the council has ring fenced the housing revenue account , meaning the books have to balance each year . As for private rents well the market has clearly failed renters , and that is not council tenants fault .
Nicholas Taylor
2022-03-14 11:56:09
You are right Richard, the latest edition of Harlow Times reveals that rents paid make up almost all of the income in the Housing Revenue Account, totalling £49,096 million. Of this, £48.6 million was spent on repairs, management and other expenses, leaving a surplus which was placed in the Council's reserve, which now totals £16.243 million. The Tories are now crowing about how they will increase spending on Council homes, but they are only able to do this by using some of this reserve.
Leave a Comment Below:
11 Comments for Harlow Council tenants bear brunt of Tory budget says former Labour leader: