HARLOW Council has approved its biggest-ever budget, investing a record £350 million to “Build Harlow’s Future” while freezing Council Tax for the fifth consecutive year.

The council’s budget 2026 was agreed at its Full Council meeting last night (5 March).

All councillors present (Conservative, Labour and Reform) voted for the budget.

The budget doubles the council’s overall spending compared with just two years ago – from £173 million in 2024/25 and £244 million in 2025/26 to £350 million in 2026/27. This has been achieved whilst ensure the council’s budget is fully funded, with no shortfalls or unidentified savings required, ensuring financial security and transparency.

There are also no cuts or closures to services, but rather increased investment across the board. All financial rules and checks have been followed for the lifetime of the budget, demonstrating robust governance and responsible financial management.

What Budget 2026 means for residents and the town:

• Council Tax frozen for a record fifth year – the average household continues to pay just £4.93 a week for all Harlow Council services.
• Every service protected and invested in – no cuts or closures, with more funding for Pets’ Corner, Harlow Playhouse, Harlow Museum, paddling pools, splash parks and the Town Park.
• More investment in essential daily services – including bin collections, street cleaning, landscaping, parks maintenance, repairs and supported housing.
• Costs not passed on to residents – almost all fees and charges remain frozen, including free parking periods and free entry to popular services.
• A fully funded, financially secure budget – the budget remains balanced for 2026 to 2027, with no gaps, no shortfalls and no unidentified savings, ensuring ongoing financial stability.
• All six ‘Building Harlow’s Future’ missions fully funded – every project and outcome supported to transform our council, rebuild our town, invest in our housing, renew our neighbourhoods, secure our future, and protect our communities.
• Record investment in council housing – £179 million for council housing and housing services in 2026/27 – a 31% increase on last year and 137% more than 2021.
• Massive upgrades to homes and the town – £111 million for council home improvements and new homes, and £92.7 million for the town centre and community facilities.
• Every discretionary service safeguarded – moving into the base budget by 2027, protecting them from reliance on reserves.
• Strong, responsible financial management – all financial rules met, reserves protected and long-term plans in place.

Commenting on the approved budget, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:

“Now that this record‑breaking budget has been formally approved, Harlow can move confidently into the next phase of delivering more improvements for our town. This is the biggest budget in Harlow Council’s history, and it represents another major step change in how we work for residents.

“While councils across the country are raising Council Tax and cutting services, Harlow is taking a different path. We are transforming the council so it delivers more, invests more and improves more – all without asking residents to pay a penny extra. Put simply: we have doubled our budget compared to just two years ago, and residents will not pay a penny more for it.

“This £350 million investment will build Harlow’s future: transforming our council, rebuilding our town, investing in our housing, renewing our neighbourhoods, securing our future and protecting our communities. Every service will receive more funding, every mission of the council will be fully backed, and Council Tax will be frozen for the fifth-year running.

“Councils should make life easier, not harder. Harlow deserves a council that works differently, works harder and delivers results you can genuinely see. Budget 2026 does exactly that – it puts residents first and invests in Building Harlow’s Future.”

Councillor James Leppard, Cabinet Member for Finance, added:

“With the budget 2026 now approved, we can press ahead with delivering even more improvements residents expect and deserve. This £350 million investment is proof of what is possible when a council is ambitious, disciplined and relentlessly focused on outcomes for residents.

“This is not just a number – it means better council homes, improved neighbourhoods, upgraded community facilities and services that make a visible difference to everyday life.

“While many councils are announcing cuts, closures and Council Tax rises, Harlow is showing that there is another way. You can modernise services, invest in the future and protect residents from rising costs at the same time.

“This has only been possible through fundamental transformation of the council: improving efficiency, strengthening financial management and ensuring every pound is spent where it makes the greatest impact. This approved budget is about delivery, improvement and Building Harlow’s Future.”