Harrow unveils new budget plans to modernise local services

Those occupying flats to rent in Harrow have been promised that local services will be protected or improved under new plans from the regional council.

Harrow Council has published its latest budget, which has been developed in conjunction with thousands of local residents and will be assessed by the council cabinet on February 9th 2012, before being submitted for full approval a week later.

The authority is currently under severe financial pressures as a result of the economic downturn and is seeking to make savings of £10.8 million in 2012-13 using these budgetary measures, but the commitment to delivering a high standard of local services remains.

As such, investments are being made in various essential areas, including a £3 million outlay on adult services, £1.1 million on local waste management and £740,000 to address issues of homelessness linked to the recession.

Meanwhile, other services will be reorganised in way that allows costs to be reduced while maintaining quality, including its reablement scheme, children's centre management model and young people's services.

Harrow Council is already one of the most economical councils in the UK, achieving £19 million in cost savings last year through measures such as improved procurement practices and reduced bureaucracy, allowing it to focus its funding on helping residents.

Bill Stephenson, leader of Harrow Council, said: "Like never before we are working together with residents to modernise the council and find savings that protect frontline services.

He added: "That is why we are involving residents so heavily in the decisions we make and we listened to what they had to say during the year of debate on everything from adult social care and children's centres, to libraries, parks and street lighting."

This comes after the local authority approved plans to consult with its staff on modernised pay terms and working conditions last month.

Posted by Martyn Glynn

Published 6th February, 2012

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