On Thursday 22nd February, Harrow Council passed the second annual budget of this Conservative administration.
This administration inherited a budget with a gap of £20 million for the year we came into power. We have worked very hard over the last two years to fix the finances in Harrow, whilst improving the services for residents. This year we are likely to come in on budget and have passed a budget for next year which doesn't use any reserves (savings).
Many residents have contacted my colleagues and I about things that are important to you. As a Conservative administration, we listen and we act. There is an additional £270,000 available next year for our street cleaning team and £200,000 for fly tipping enforcement. This will go a significant way to restoring pride in Harrow.
As we continue to see wet and cold weather across the borough potholes are developing in many of our roads. This is a big concern for many people and we are investing in innovative equipment that will enable faster and longer lasting repairs on our roads. This builds on the 1,500 potholes we filled last year and the 60 roads and footpaths we resurfaced last year.
This administration is committed to retaining existing and delivering more family sized homes for Harrow. Grange Farm phase 2, which will deliver more Council housing in the borough, as well as imminent proposals to redevelop the old Civic Centre site and the old driving school near the Leisure Centre, demonstrates our commitment to provide much needed family homes.
We have begun the implementation of our new Public Spaces Protection Order, which will give us extra powers to deal with fly-tipping, littering and people setting off fireworks in the street.
