An ambitious budget for Hounslow

The Council’s Cabinet meeting due to take place on Tuesday 20 February will look to approve recommendations to ensure the Council delivers a balanced, responsible budget that continues to deliver on what matters to residents, whilst delivering on the Council’s commitments to build a Thriving, Safer, Cleaner, Greener and Healthier borough for residents, businesses, and communities. 

During the last year, the Council has delivered on its ambitious corporate plan through: 

• Delivering services, closer to home for residents through the Community and Family Hubs 
• Supporting 4,100 adults with social care needs and 3,000 children and young people with special educational needs   
• Surpassing our tree target with over 8,000 trees planted and developing net zero neighbourhoods 
• Building hundreds of high-quality, energy efficient new houses 
• Increasing  recycling  with 103,000 households’ recycling collected each week 
• Providing £1.2million in funding for community and voluntary groups 
• Working closely with the NHS and Health Outreach Team  taking services into the heart of the communities,  tackling health inequalities across Hounslow and working on preventative health initiatives, along with 61,000 of flu vaccines administered through winter. 
• Investing in a new safer communities team to support vulnerable young adults to make Hounslow safer and continuing to work on tackling violence against women and girls. 

With high inflation and interest rates, rising costs, the impact of government policies and reduced funding combined with an increasing demand for vital services, the Council is facing challenging financial times ahead. 

In order to continue investing in services and supporting people whilst delivering services that make a real difference to residents’ lives, without cutting frontlines services the Council’s Cabinet will next week consider proposals to increase council tax. 

The current proposal is to raise council tax by 4.99%; the amount the government assumes local authorities will add to their bills this year. This includes 2% ringfenced for adult social care, a critical investment to help meet the rising costs and demand for these services whilst supporting some of the most vulnerable in our society.  

Find out more about Council Tax

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said:  

“Since the announcement of the provisional local government settlement in December we have been working hard on our budget plans for the year ahead – to ensure we can continue to invest in services and deliver for our residents, communities, and businesses in Hounslow.  

“Chronic underfunding for the last 10 years has seen our budgets and services stretched and squeezed. The Government’s reckless policies have caused a crisis in health, social care, the asylum system and temporary accommodation.   

“Like many Councils we find ourselves under considerable financial pressure as we face the combined impact of soaring inflation, interest rates and rising demand for vital services for our most vulnerable residents.  

“Whilst sound financial management over the years means Hounslow is in a relatively strong position, the extraordinary economic climate means we have little choice but to propose to raise Council Tax to ensure we can continue to deliver services that make a real difference to residents’ lives. 

“If the proposals are accepted, the average resident will see an increase in Council Tax. I know this is an added cost for residents at a time when there are budget and financial pressures for everyone. 

“Through close collaboration with our partners, we have an extensive package of support to help residents including our community and family hubs, and I would encourage anyone with concerns to visit the council's website for more information.” 

If the council tax rise is agreed at the next cabinet meeting on Tuesday 20 February, the recommendation will be put forward to be discussed at the full council meeting on Tuesday 27 February. Read the full report.