Hillingdon Council has admitted it is still facing continued financial pressure as it set out its budget plans for 2026/27, pledging to keep council tax low while seeking ways to plug funding gaps
The plans were outlined at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 23, with the council insisting it remains a low-cost authority delivering some of the most efficient services.
Benchmarking data shows Hillingdon’s service costs are the fourth lowest of all London boroughs. Council leaders said savings will continue to be delivered through a review of how services are run, with an emphasis on efficiency and innovation to help offset rising demand.
There was some positive news under the government’s new fair funding formula, which is expected to increase the grant Hillingdon receives from 2026/27 over a three-year period.
However, more than £40million of that funding will be withheld during the first two years, limiting any immediate relief.
As a result of prolonged government underfunding, the council has entered discussions with the government over Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) to help bridge the gap until the new funding formula is fully implemented.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, said: “While we welcome the recognition that Hillingdon needs more funding from 2026/27 to meet residents’ current needs, it doesn’t allow us to ‘get back what has been lost’ nor ensure we have the immediate funding we require.
“We’re still fighting hard to combat the real-time impacts of increasing demand for services and prolonged underfunding.”
Photo credit: London Borough of Hillingdon Facebook
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