Yesterday, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet unanimously endorsed a proposed budget that will now be presented the Council’s Borough Council meeting on Tuesday 25 February.
Published: Wednesday, 12th February 2025
The budget will deliver value for money across Council services, and future-proof financial stability and growth.
Against a national backdrop where many councils are struggling financially, Hounslow’s budget focuses on maintaining financial stability and sustainability.
The Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, said:
“We must continue to keep an iron grip on our finances to protect Hounslow’s future and to ensure long-term growth. Years of chronic underfunding by the previous government, spiralling costs and increasing demand have left many councils in a very dangerous place - and while we are not one of those –– we have little choice but to reduce our spending.
“We cannot drop our guard now: this budget, and the commitments it represents to growing our economy, modernising service provision and protecting the most vulnerable, will secure the future of Council services and the best interests of our residents for many years to come.”
With the budget addressing the Council’s £30 million budget shortfall, a number of efficiencies – along with raising Council Tax by 4.99% – will ensure the most vulnerable residents are protected and key services are modernised.
Financial forecasting concluded that the Council could use up its reserves in a few years if it did not take action. Proposed Council Tax increase will mean the average household will pay only £1.40 a week extra.
Other key details in the budget include:
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£2.2million to stimulate Hounslow’s economy, which will create 28,000 new homes and 18,000 job opportunities.
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£2 million on modernising our services and bringing key services closers to residents’ doorsteps.
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£13.7 million funding to the Council’s Adult Social Care provision, which supports the most vulnerable residents in Hounslow.
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£3.2 million to tackle homelessness in the borough.
The budget was robustly reviewed at the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the end of January and will be presented at Hounslow’s Budget-Setting Borough Council on Tuesday 25 February.
Residents will receive their new Council Tax Bill in March – along with a detailed breakdown of the Council’s spending this year.
To read more about the Council’s budget proposals, click here.
