Watford’s mayor, Peter Taylor, has said that the budget for 2025/26 will “protect front-line services” and continue investment in the town.
However, the budget, approved by Watford borough councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday (28 January), would result in a 2.99 percent increase in council tax, and Labour politicians have warned that this will require the authority to dip into its financial reserves.
The council tax increase is the greatest permitted without a referendum, however Watford Borough Council’s share of the tax is minor in contrast to the county council.
Band D properties will now pay £308.51 per year in borough council tax. In 2024/25, band D properties were required to pay £1,605.63 as the county council component of their council tax, which is scheduled to increase by 4.99%.
When presenting the budget to councillors, the Liberal Democrat mayor stated: “This budget is presented in light of the continued difficult circumstances, both locally and nationally.”
“Local government financing in actual terms remains far below 2010/11 levels.
“Thanks to our conservative budget decisions over the years, we are not in a position to compel severe service cuts.
“I kept two things in mind while preparing the budget.
“First, we must maintain the high-quality frontline services that our residents rely on.
“And secondly, we must continue to invest in programmes which ensure Watford can be a thriving and vibrant town.”
The budget contains cash to “ensure that Watford remains and becomes an even greener town,” including £247,000 for the River Colne restoration project, £50,000 to improve walks at Cassiobury Park and nature reserve, £20,000 for park fountains, and £79,000 for tree planting.
The mayor also stated that there was funds available to assist citizens with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as well as to maintain the borough clean and tidy.
The budget includes funds for Citizens Advice and winter night shelters, as well as £15,000 to repair waste bins and £10,000 to beautify the shopping parade.
The budget includes funding for the ongoing Colosseum and new museum initiatives.
However, the mayor stated that the council tax will have to be raised due to a “lack of funding from central government”.
Labour councillors warned that the council’s use of reserves will “plug short-term gaps” but left the council “vulnerable” and “exposed to future uncertainties”.
The budget contains intentions to spend £17.6 million on reserves in 2025/26, up from £10.9 million in 2024/25. It means Watford Borough Council is forecast to have £60 million in reserves by the end of 2025/26, down from £88.5 million at the start of 2024/25.
Cllr Asif Khan (Lab) recommended budget modifications, including an additional street cleaner, lighting at Callowland Rec, a new park cricket pitch, and investment in the Vicarage Road district.
Labour suggested the changes could be paid by making My Watford magazine digital-only, reducing the mayor’s political advisor, and slashing costs in the council’s communications department.
Cllr Khan stated that proposing “real, visible improvements” demonstrated his party’s commitment to “cleaner streets, safer parks, stronger community connections, and financial resilience”.
However, the mayor, Peter Taylor, argued that Labour councillors were only bringing forward plans that would help their own wards.
He noted that making the My Watford magazine digital-only may exclude locals who are not tech aware, and that the police advised residents on Callowland Rec to go along the well-lit street nearby instead.
Cllr Tim Williams, who is in charge of parks, said it was a “wonderful idea” to have a cricket pitch in the local park.
He stated that the council was already consulting on a variety of ideas and invited Labour to collaborate with him as the project developed.
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