Council leaders in Stoke-on-Trent have unveiled proposals for a ‘stabilising budget’ as the city continues to face financial challenges. If passed the budget would minimise cuts to frontline services whilst maximising efficiency savings and an increased focus on partnership working.
Alistair Watson, cabinet member for financial sustainability and corporate resources said that a “decade of austerity” meant the council has nearly £100 million less to invest in services than it did fifteen years ago
Council’s mixed financial fortunes
Included in the budget are £6.4 million in efficiencies and savings that will not directly impact public-facing services. Council managers will also be tasked with finding further savings. There may also be some restructuring of staff, although there is an expectation that most of the staff impacted will be found other roles as part of the process. The budget also contains proposals for council tax to rise by 4.99%, equivalent to £1.04 for the average taxpayer in the city. Also within the budget is £16.8mn in exceptional financial support provided to the council by central government.
Council leader Jane Ashworth said that despite some improvements in the city’s finances, driven in part by savings following a fall in the number of children in care, the situation remains “extremely challenging”. Councillor Watson said the budget was another step towards bringing “stability” to the council’s finances and that despite the ongoing challenges the city is in a much better place than we were this time last year – not just financially, but in terms of the service improvements that the residents of this city need and deserve.”
Reaching for a helping hand
A key part of the budget proposals is tackling some of Stoke’s persistent problems such as the impact of the cost-of-living crisis through partnership working. This includes extending the £100,000 fund to support council tenants with things like rent arrears and buying essential household goods.
Support is also available from the Help is at Hand campaign, which brings together organisations including Saltbox, Disability Solutions and the Citizens Advice Bureau, and has seen 3,345 people receive advice on benefits and other matter since it began. In the longer term the council, like many of its neighbours, is looking to regeneration projects to create the prosperity needed to end its financial troubles.
Parliamentary praise provides encouragement
Efforts in Stoke-on-Trent, including the Goods Yard and Spode site, have been praised by a government minister during a visit to the city. Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said “The regeneration projects I have seen have blown me away – the potential of these wonderful historic buildings being converted into new uses is fantastic”. Council leader Jane Ashworth said it was “fantastic” to welcome such a high-profile visitor to the city and showcase its “tremendous potential for growth and improvement”.Today though, the focus is very much on making ends meet in a situation that is not as bad as it might have been, but still far more challenging than the council leadership would like it to be. A public consultation on the budget will run until 10 February and can be accessed on their website. The proposals will also be discussed by councillors at scrutiny meetings and in the cabinet before going before the full council meeting set to take place on 27 February.
