Council denies using reserves to balance the budget, citing past additions and careful financial management.
The council approved the 2025/26 budget last Wednesday, calling it a smart way to balance the books. Council tax will increase about 88p a week, however, Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler disagrees with this budget and thinks they use reserves to make it work. She calls the budget unclear.
Council leader Stephen Cowan spoke about the budget. He said they will focus on crime and health, also planning to improve education and housing. He says it carefully manages the money and adds that it prepares for what happens next.
The opposition leader criticized the national budget, believing it hurts the UK economy. She also criticized the council’s use of reserves, thinking their savings are too small each year. She noted they can only spend reserves once and are also borrowing at high rates now.
The council said its reserves are adequate to deal with risks. They regularly check the reserve amounts, ensuring proper balance. The money can move to meet needs if other plans fail.
Councillors approved the budget, which includes tax increases. Council tax will rise 2.99 percent, with social care tax going up another two percent, equaling about 88p a week.
Hammersmith and Fulham has low council tax. They cut or froze taxes five times in ten years and nearly 40% of homes get tax support. Other London councils are cutting support.
The council gives full discounts to those most in need, which only two other London councils do. Hammersmith and Fulham will invest £12.3m more, also planning £5.1m in efficiencies for 2025/26. They will spend £3.4m for community safety, £2.8m for adult social care, and £1.2m on homelessness.