The council has seen its central funding decrease significantly over the past decade (Photo: Pixabay) Harrow Council’s Labour administration accused the Government of “nationalising” council tax as it announced its latest draft budget. The council’s plans for 2021/22 include a five per cent increase in council tax, as well as the need to plug a funding gap of £8.25 million, which it intends to do so through non-general fund reserves. Cllr Adam Swersky, who is responsible for finance at Harrow Council, said it had been left with no choice but to increase council tax by so much to cover reduced government funding and increased demand.
Harrow Council has been set back millions of pounds due to the Covid-19 pandemic (Photo: Newsquest/Pexels) A senior Harrow councillor has called on the Government to fulfil its “promise” of reimbursing local authorities for the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cllr Adam Swersky, who is responsible for finance at Harrow Council, explained that the crisis has set the borough back £36 million in terms of additional costs and lost income opportunities. The Government has provided financial support worth more than £25 million, but Cllr Swersky said it is vital it covers the outstanding balance to ensure key council services are not affected.
Councillors said setting a balanced budget is a challenge (Photo: Pixabay) Council tax in Harrow is set to rise by around five per cent next year, with the council facing a budget gap of almost £31 million. Cllr Adam Swersky, who is responsible for finance at Harrow Council, will present a draft budget for 2021/22 at a council cabinet meeting on Thursday (December 17). A council report shows it intends to put forward a balanced budget for next year, but in order to achieve this, council tax in the borough will go up by 4.99 per cent, of which three per cent will be ringfenced for social care.