Harrow Borough Council claims that this year it will deliver a two-year balanced budget for the first time.

It says that by doing so it will be able to protect vital services by taking a longer term view, rather than a year-by-year one.

To balance the books the council says it has had to find savings of £24 million.

The final budget, which includes a two per cent rise in council tax, will be put before the council’s cabinet on February 14 where it will be recommended for approval by the full council on February 28.

If approved, the changes will come into force in April.

Councillor Sachin Shah, portfolio holder for finance, said: “Next year the Government will give Harrow £10m less than they did this year.

“This is a massive and unfair cut to Harrow residents.  The Government has forced us to make big cuts to spending, but the Labour administration has done all it can to protect those most in need from the worst of these cuts.”