Trafford Council has unveiled its final budget proposals which includes a multi-million pound investment in the borough despite the financial challenges it continues to face.
Council Leader Tom Ross pledged that roads, towns, businesses, parks together with vulnerable adults and children with special needs are all to benefit from the spending plans designed to improve the lives of people in the borough.
However, Cllr Ross admitted that setting the proposed budget was extremely difficult and the council needed Exceptional Financial support from the government to do so. This includes a 7.49% rise in council tax and a capitalisation loan of £12.64m which the council has to pay back.
The budget report confirms the Council will not be going bankrupt and there are no plans for compulsory redundancies among staff.
Finance chiefs in Trafford were forced to ask for extra support after the government’s recent Fair Funding Review left the borough with a budget deficit of £24m.
It means the Council will be able to support increased need for its services among some of the most vulnerable people in the borough.
It will still mean Trafford has the second lowest council tax in Greater Manchester and still about 10% lower than the average of other metropolitan districts
Cllr Ross acknowledged the concerns of residents and the impact council tax rises have on them but pledged to offer support to those most in need.
Cllr Ross said:
“These have been difficult but necessary decisions for the financial long-term health of Trafford.
“Over the years we have addressed budget gaps of around £330m and we have been recognised by independent experts as being a well-run council financially.
“I have spoken out previously about the lack of money for local government and while the Fairer Funding Review has provided a significant boost in support for many other metropolitan districts, Trafford is a significant outlier facing real term reduction in support over the next three years. We continue to maintain a dialogue with ministers and government officials.
“In the meantime though we need to provide services to some of the most vulnerable in our society as theses services make a difference to so many lives. We will continue to support children with special educational needs and their families. We know older people want to continue living in their homes and their communities and we will provide the services to help them do this. Not only is this our statutory duty it is also our moral duty to support them.
“We will also know the importance of delivering the ‘bread and butter’ services for residents and businesses, emptying bins, repairing pot holes and keeping drains clear.
“And we will still be investing millions of pounds on our green spaces, schools, town centres, neighbourhoods and leisure facilities as part of our ongoing efforts, along with our partners, to make Trafford a better place to live, work and visit.
“We also have one of the most generous council tax support schemes in the country and we will look to support those most in need.
“We will also continue to look for smarter ways of working and embracing new technology where we can to help us save money in the future.”
The plans will be discussed at a budget meeting of the Council on Thursday 5 March. Full details about the proposals are available on the Council’s website.