Harrow Civic Centre (Photo: Newsquest) Harrow Council could appoint a series of assistants to help support senior councillors with their specific briefs in the borough. A report set to be presented to the council’s cabinet tomorrow (Thursday, May 27) outlines plans to give eight councillors increased responsibilities for 2021/22. If approved, these councillors could receive an additional allowance of £2,142 for taking the role. However, since councillors can only have one extra allowance, in addition to their basic of £8,561, this might not be the case for all appointments. Under the proposals, Cllr Angella Murphy-Strachan (Lab, Edgware) would support Cllr Christine Robson (Lab, West Harrow), who is responsible for children and young people, with corporate parenting.
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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.