The cost of public services in Harrow is set to go up once again as the council agreed to implement a council tax hike as part of its budget for 2022/23. 

Councillors approved its latest financial plan on Thursday (February 24) which includes a 2.99 per cent council tax increase – the maximum permitted without needing to hold a local referendum. 

After the Greater London Authority’s council tax contribution is taken into account, it means Band D households will pay £2,044.78 next year, 

This represents an increase of £82.42, which works out at £1.58 per week. It is also the first time those living in Band D properties in Harrow will pay more than £2,000 in council tax.

Read more: Harrow council tax rise to take average bill to above £2,000

The council also intends to use reserves to plug a £15 million funding gap, which has enabled it to produce a balanced budget. 

The current administration has been keen to stress the impact of cuts to its grants from central government, which it says has left it with no choice but to increase council tax. 

Finance lead councillor Natasha Proctor explained councils have been “facing ongoing financial pressures” for a number of years.

She said this has been exacerbated by the outbreak of Covid-19 – while councils received government grants, all services were affected by the pandemic.

She added there has been an increased demand for services in general, while an ageing population has hit adult social care services particularly hard.

The council said it has been left with “little choice” but to rely on council tax as it makes up the bulk of its budget.

Harrow Conservatives agreed councils have been impacted by the pandemic, but argued they have been well supported financially by the Government. 

As part of its amendment to the Labour budget, it suggested introducing task forces to tackle illegally rented shared houses and fly-tipping in the borough. 

The group repeated its pledge to offer an hour’s free parking in council car parks and on streets where pay-and-display is in place and said a free bulky waste service should be in place to help tackle illegal dumping. 

In a statement, it said: “Despite the generous level of government funding, we accept that finances are tight for the council. 

“We have been able to identify funds which should be spent elsewhere as well as utilising our reserves. 

“What has been clear from the original budget is that Labour has no plan for Harrow, and no clue about how to deliver meaningful change for local people.”

The Conservative amendment was rejected by the council, which then voted in favour of the original budget approved by the council’s cabinet in December.