Hillingdon Council has approved a budget that continues to invest in vital frontline services and local infrastructure.
The council’s Cabinet agreed last Thursday (16 December) to approve a budget which proposes a council tax rise for 2022/23, well below the rate of inflation (an increase in the cost of living as the price of goods and services rise).
The budget, which includes no cuts to services, reflects the council’s continuing record of sound financial management.
Residents will continue to benefit from free weekly waste and recycling collections, as well as investment in leisure facilities, road resurfacing, new homes, improvement works to council housing, new school places (including those for children with special educational needs) and town centre improvements.
Provision has also been made within the budget for reductions in the council’s carbon footprint.
Council tax is set to increase by just 2.8 per cent. This includes a core council tax increase of 1.8 per cent and a 1 per cent levy relating to the social care precept (income that is ringfenced to fund residents’ adult social care). In practice this equates to an increase of 67p a week for a Band D property.
The council’s planned budget is set to be achieved through a combination of the council delivering manageable increases in council tax, fees and charges, and producing efficiency savings, while maintaining and improving services for residents and preserving reserves.
The limited increases in council tax, fees and charges are due to the rising cost of providing services, a cost which is driven by inflation and a growing population.
Cllr Martin Goddard, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Being fiscally astute will allow us to continue with a programme of capital investment and no loss of services for residents.
“By keeping our council tax increase below the rate of inflation it means more money in residents’ pockets for the things they need, during a particularly challenging time for everyone.
“Our strong record of sound financial management sets us apart as a local authority, and means we’re able to support households amidst the national rise in living costs while continuing to protect frontline services, maintaining and investing in the services that residents value, and supporting the borough’s Covid-19 recovery.”
