Harlow Council’s latest finance, performance and risk report is showing that the council’s performance continues to go from strength to strength in the face of funding challenges.
The latest data up to the end of January 2025 shows that the council remains on track for a significant budget surplus in both the main services budget (General Fund) and the housing budget (Housing Revenue Account) through its programme of sound financial management during a period of severe pressure on councils across the country. The latest report will be discussed at next week’s (Wednesday 19 March) Cabinet meeting.
Projected surpluses have been achieved with a Council Tax freeze and millions being invested into improving council services and delivering the council’s missions for the town which are to: transform Harlow’s housing, renew our neighbourhoods, rebuild our town, secure investment for Harlow’s future, protect our communities and deliver high-performing council services.
The performance section of the report shows that the council is also continuing to achieve success in its mission to deliver high-performing council services, with nearly all targets being met or exceeded by the end of January.
Performance highlights include:
- Consistently strong performance on turnaround time on empty homes
- Bin collections continuing at a 99.9% on time collection rate
- Call waiting times for residents – which are well below target
- The time taken to process planning applications continues to perform well above target with a very low appeal rate
In addition to consistently hitting performance targets, the council is investing tens of millions of pounds in upgrading council houses, flat blocks, community facilities such as the Playhouse, Harlow Museum, Latton Bush Centre and playgrounds – with nearly all projects on track.
Performance targets are set annually and progress on these is reported to the council monthly, highlighting areas where services are performing well as well as those where we can improve.
These indicators are used to drive more effective performance across the council and to ensure residents are receiving the high-quality service that they expect.
Commenting on financial performance, Councillor James Leppard, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, said:
“Over recent months this report has shown time and time again that we are flying in the face of the financial pressures affecting councils all over the country. Our programme of sound financial management and careful budgeting is keeping us on track to report a surplus once again for this financial year – all whilst keeping Council Tax frozen.
“The budget we have just agreed for 2025 to 2026 continues to freeze Council Tax whilst increasing investment to achieve our six missions. That’s tens of millions of pounds, going towards delivering on your priorities, giving you value for the money that you put in through your Council Tax, and achieving our six missions.”
On the council’s continued service improvement, Councillor Hannah Ellis, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Transformation, said:
“As we approach the end of this financial year, I am proud to look back on the progress Harlow Council has made on its service performance. We are seeing continued improvements reported across the board, all driven by the hard work of council employees. I hope this goes to show our commitment to providing the best possible services to our residents, but we must keep aiming higher to ensure that Harlow is receiving the very best that it can from us as we look forward to an even better future for our town.”
You can read a copy of the council’s latest performance, finance and risk report here.