Harlow Council passes a “long term sustainable” budget

IN TONIGHT budget setting meeting of Harlow Council, a “long term sustainable” budget for 2021/22, was passed says the Labour leader of the council

Councillor Mark Ingall Leader of the Council said, “This is a sustainable, prudent budget that includes the following;

No redundancies or cuts to Council services for the eighth successive year.
Protection for free to use respite services for the families of disabled children.

“Additional money for a hardship fund to support families badly hit by the Covid pandemic and who are struggling to pay their Council Tax.

“A new reserve fund to protect Council services against uncertainty in the coming years.

“Money for the delivery of new Council housing

An inflation only increase in Council tax of 10- per week for a typical Band C resident

“While Council Tax is collected by Harlow Council, 85% of the money collected goes to Essex County Council and the Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioners.

“Only 15% is retained by Harlow.

“Most of the increases seen in a resident’s bill in the last four years has been taken by the Conservatives in Essex; since 2018/2019, a Band C resident has seen the Harlow Council portion of their Council tax increase in line with inflation, equating to a rise of £14.77 a year while the Conservatives in Essex have made a whopping, inflation busting £203.28 increase.

“At the meeting, Harlow Conservatives presented an alternative budget, but expert financial advice presented to me showed that it would be unsustainable over the long term and if implemented, would lead to a financial crisis of £500,000 by the year 2024/25.

“I am proud of the Labour administration’s budget which builds on the sound financial management of the past and gives residents much needed certainty about the future.”

YH will produce an in depth coverage of council budget meeting on Friday.