The report, to be presented to the council cabinet on July 10, confirms that the council ended the financial year on March 31, 2025, with a budget surplus.
This is in stark contrast to the national trend, where many councils are reporting overspending and council tax hikes.
The council attributes this achievement to prudent financial management, which not only prevented overspending but also maintained healthy reserves and account balances.
This financial stability allowed for a 41 per cent increase in the budget for the current financial year, 2025/26, without raising council tax.
The increased budget is being used to support the delivery of the council’s Building Harlow’s Future plan, with all six key missions now fully funded and showing progress.
Council leader Councillor Dan Swords said: “Strong financial management is crucial for every council – that means spending taxpayers’ money well and keeping to the budget we have set.
“So many councils across the country are struggling enormously at present with significant overspending and budget deficits being reported in nearly all councils, whilst council tax increases.
“However, the story in Harlow is quite different.
“The report released this week on the council’s financial performance for the last financial year which ended on March 31, 2025, shows that we have again achieved a healthy budget surplus whilst freezing council tax.
“It is because of this financial management that we are able to increase our budget for this year by 41 per cent whilst freezing council tax again and delivering more than ever before.
“Our Building Harlow’s Future plan sets out in plain sight what the council is spending taxpayers’ money on – transforming our town for a generation – which is only possible because of our strong financial management.”
