The Employees' Consultative Forum is scheduled to consider the council's draft revenue budget for the upcoming financial year and its medium-term financial strategy. The forum will also receive an update on the council's workforce profile, examining diversity and equality data from the past year.

Draft Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy

The forum is set to review the Draft Revenue Budget 2026/27 and draft Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2028/29[^1]. This report, prepared by the Strategic Director of Finance, Councillor David Ashton (Portfolio Holder for Finance & Highways), outlines the council's financial plans for the next three years. It details projected budget gaps and the strategies proposed to address them, including savings and growth initiatives across various council services. The report highlights the significant financial challenges facing local authorities, referencing the government's Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) process and the need for London boroughs to make substantial savings. It also discusses the impact of the Fair Funding Review[^2] on local government funding and outlines proposed council tax increases. The document includes detailed appendices on savings and growth proposals, the medium-term financial strategy itself, and specific funding allocations for Public Health and Schools.

Annual Workforce Profile Report

The forum will also receive the Annual Workforce Profile Report 2024-2025[^3]. This report, from the Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development, Stacy Bailey, provides a comprehensive overview of the council's workforce demographics. It details employee data across various protected characteristics, as defined by the Equality Act 2010[^4], including age, disability, race, sex, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. The report aims to identify areas of under-representation and inform future workforce initiatives to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. It compares the council's workforce profile with the population of Harrow and the London average, highlighting progress and areas for improvement in recruitment, retention, and career progression. The report notes that data on religion, sexual orientation, and disability remain underreported, impacting the completeness of the analysis.