Multi-million pound investments in Trafford’s schools, roads, towns, leisure centres and social care have been unveiled as part of a budget which aims make the borough a better place to live and work.
Trafford Council’s proposed budget for the next financial year also includes increased spending on its key aims of raising people out of poverty, tackling health inequalities and addressing the climate crisis.
The investments are part of an overall revenue budget spend of £209.38m in Trafford and an £92m capital investment programme.
New Council Leader Tom Ross, who has retained his Finance portfolio, promised the budget will protect and improve vital services for residents and businesses.
Cllr Ross said:
“This is a budget that will deliver a better and brighter future for Trafford.
“The cost-of-living crisis is causing misery for thousands of our most vulnerable residents. That is why I am delighted that we will extend our council tax support scheme to help 13,400 people on low income. We will also spend £3.2m so children on free school meals can still be fed during the school holidays.
“A lot of hard work as gone into setting this budget. We have had to deal with the cost of inflation and close a £25m budget gap – so I am particularly pleased we are still able to do so much to help build better futures for the people who live and work in Trafford.
“That said, as with other councils in a similar position to us, we will continue to campaign for a fairer deal on funding from central government for council tax payers in Trafford.”
Councillors will discuss the budget at a special meeting of the full Council next Wednesday 15 February.
It will mean a rise in council tax of 2.99% and an additional 2% in the Adult Social Care Precept. The Council is also planning to make savings and increase income by £11.7m to meet the budget gap without having to increase council tax further.
School funding is boosted by a further £14m to help meet extra school needs.
Cllr Ross said: “In my first speech as leader, I said my priority would be children so I am putting money where my mouth is.
The budget also includes a further £8.8m for social care and £11.8m for highways. There is £13.6m to continue the Council’s town centre regeneration plans. The Council’s priority to reduce health inequalities is being boosted by £16.3m to continue the modernisation of leisure centres, and an extra £500,000 for the borough’s parks and green spaces.
Cllr Ross said: “A failure to invest in health activities just stores up trouble for later. Instead, we are spending more now to support people’s fitter lifestyles, which will also help to protect our NHS.”
Extra funding is also being provided to accelerate the Council’s aim of being carbon-neutral by 2038.
Cllr Ross said: “We can’t just offload our problems for future generations to handle. We will continue to work with business partners to deliver a borough that’s fit for people of all ages.
He added:
“There are still budget pressures in the coming years but we will continue to be prudent and protect our vulnerable residents.
“We will continue to invest in the people of our borough to make Trafford a borough where all our residents, businesses and communities prosper.”
Posted on Wednesday 8th February 2023