HARLOW Council’s Leader, Cllr Dan Swords, has issued a Christmas message to Harlow:

“As Harlow glows with festive lights and excitement for the big day fills our streets, I want to wish everyone in our town a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This is a moment to celebrate our remarkable community, reflect on what we have achieved together, and look forward with hope and ambition to 2026.

“What a year this has been. As Leader of Harlow Council, I have felt deeply honoured to serve this town – its people, its communities, and its incredible potential. Every decision, every project, every improvement has been guided by one unwavering purpose: Building Harlow’s Future. And the scale of what we have achieved is truly extraordinary.

“This year, we have turned promises and plans into action and results. We froze council tax, modernised the council by cutting waste and bureaucracy, and increased our direct investment in the town by 41%. Our town centre is undergoing the largest regeneration programme in the country, and we are building more council homes than in the past 30 years combined. Housing repairs are now completed 90% faster, achieving the lowest number of outstanding repairs in history. Harlow homes are for Harlow people.

“We have restored pride in our green spaces, revitalised neglected areas, and delivered more new neighbourhood parking spaces than in a generation. We’ve secured hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and created thousands of new jobs to give your children and grandchildren better opportunities. Crime and anti-social behaviour have fallen, rogue landlords have been held to account, and communities across the town are safer, stronger, and more connected than they were a year ago.

“Above all, 2025 has restored one simple truth about Harlow: that when we set our minds to it, we can achieve extraordinary things.

“The progress we see across the town is the result of our six missions to Build Harlow’s Future: transforming our council, rebuilding our town, investing in our housing, renewing our neighbourhoods, securing our future, and protecting our communities. And I can say with confidence: the actions we took this year will transform our town for a generation.

“Have we got everything right? Of course not. But I want to thank you: the people of Harlow. From the bottom of my heart thank you for your support, kindness, belief and let’s call it honest feedback! 

“Reflecting on this year, I am proud and humbled by what we have accomplished. It is a privilege to lead a council and a community that dares to dream big, acts decisively, and refuses to settle for anything less than the best for Harlow. 

“A sincere thank you also to everyone in our town who continues to work over the Christmas period so that we can enjoy a festive break – you truly are the best of Harlow.

“As we celebrate this festive season, let us pause, reflect, and look forward with confidence. Together, we are not just wishing for a better future – we are building it. Here’s to a joyful Christmas, a peaceful break, and a New Year full of hope, progress, and the unshakable innovative spirit that makes Harlow shine.

“Let’s make 2026 another landmark year for our town.

“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”