The Harrow Labour Party has expressed strong opposition to Harrow Council’s recent decision to move forward with potential cuts to the Council Tax Support Scheme.
Harrow Council is starting a 12-week consultation on the scheme on August 5, involving public sessions. The results will be assessed before a final decision is made.
According to Labour representatives, this action could have devastating impacts on over 4,000 of the borough’s most vulnerable families.
In a statement, the Labour Party highlighted that “over 4,000 of our most vulnerable families could lose more than £600 per year in vital support.” They also criticised the Conservative-run council for “wasting £160,000 of taxpayer’s money on an unnecessary consultation.”
Labour Councillors have accused the Tory Council of prioritising budget cuts at the expense of those who are already struggling.
At a recent Cabinet meeting, Labour Group Leader Cllr David Perry pleaded with Conservative Councillors to reconsider the proposal, citing the acute hardships already faced by families due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Cllr Perry warned that these cuts could exacerbate financial difficulties, pushing up to 4,432 families into further hardship with an additional £610 per year to pay.
The Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr. David Perry said: “It is heartbreaking to see the corrosive effects of the cost-of-living crisis on vulnerable residents being needlessly exacerbated by this Conservative Council.
“Heaping £1.7m more strain on families already buckling under the council’s increase in rents, council tax and service charges, this proposed scheme is another example which contradicts their own corporate priorities to put residents first and have a council where those in need are supported.
“The council has shown its disregard for residents by proposing to spend an unnecessary £160,000 of taxpayer’s money commencing a consultation during the summer holidays. I am disappointed that my formal request at cabinet to withdraw this policy was publicly declined.
“The fact the council are already seeking legal advice on these proposals indicates they are expecting a judicial review on this policy. I have serious concerns whether the decision taken last night was legal given not all available information on the impacts was made available to Cabinet members following a major administrative oversight.”
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