Harlow council tax going up to offset Covid-19 pandemic

Harlow Council’s budget proposals for 2021/22 will see a 1.99 per cent council tax increase – an extra 10p a week for a band C home – in the council’s share of the council tax bill.

Essex County Council is also planning to raise its share of the bill by 1.5 per cent or an extra £19.50 a year for a band D home.

Cllr Mark Ingall, leader of Harlow Council, said: “Through taking tough decisions in the past and ensuring that we have money put aside we can propose a budget which will continue to see us through these difficult times and importantly support our residents and the town. Like every organisation and business the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on our income and we expect to receive further grant support from the government, which will help and is most welcome. However, the ongoing support from government is going to be vital to us and every other council in the country.

“We know a council tax increase, whatever the cost per week, is going to be hard to take. But it will help balance our budget due to the impact of Covid-19, it will help maintain our services and support our residents and the town.”

Proposals for the 2021/22 budget, which will be decided on at a full council meeting on January 28, also include £300,000 further funding for the council tax hardship fund to support residents facing financial problems due to the pandemic.

There are also plans for a £1.3 million fund to help council services recover from the pandemic and allow services that are not currently able to operate to reopen with “full budgets in place”, such as Harlow Playhouse, Pets’ Corner, Harlow Museum, Sam’s Place and the Leah Manning Centre.

Among the council’s flagship budget proposals are a £26 million investment in council housing stock and £17.8 million investment in other capital schemes including development of employment space, environmental projects and new housing.

Council officials say money for will be set aside for projects to regenerate the town centre, improvements to the town park and Pets’ Corner and enhancements to the Museum Walled Gardens.

Additional money will be allocated for the health and safety improvements to the paddling pools.

Cllr Mike Danvers, portfolio holder for resources, said: “We continue to do everything we can to protect services, protect council jobs and invest in improving opportunities for Harlow. Despite the challenges of this pandemic, for the eighth year running we propose no cuts to services, no permanent service closures and no redundancies, which is a remarkable achievement for any council. These proposals will continue to put the council in a stable financial position as we work through this pandemic and support the town.”

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