12:31pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Tristan Kirk
HARROW'S top councillor will present his final budget to colleagues before retiring in May.
Councillor David Ashton, leader of the council, told the Harrow Times he was “very proud” of the 21010/11 budget and said it represented a remarkable turnaround of the council's fortunes during the past four years.
He said: “I am very proud of this budget, it is an indication of just how far we have come.
“In 2006 we were the worst council in London, almost at 1*, and we had the lowest reserves in outer London.
“Now the atmosphere of the council has changed – people are pleased to work here, when four years ago they didn't, and the finances are in a much better state.”
The budget includes Harrow's first zero per cent Council Tax rise in 16 years, and a promise of a further two years with no tax rise if the Tories win the General Election and live up to their pledges on local government.
Cllr Ashton will hand over the control of finances to a new leader after his retirement in May.
He said adults and children's services had been historically underfunded in Harrow, but money had been pumped into adults services over the past four years, and £1.1million had been added to the children's services in this year's budget.
The budget also includes £500,000 for extra CCTV cameras in Harrow town centre, £100,000 to boost the Neighbourhood Champions scheme, and more than £1m into improving catering at schools.
The budget is due to presented to the cabinet on Thursday, February 11, with full council expected to approve it next week.
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