Councils face budget pinch

Deborah Linton

December 07, 2007

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Some councils may face cutbacks

GREATER Manchester councils are facing tough budget choices after Whitehall announced town hall funding for the next three years.

Bosses at many of the 10 local authorities will have to make savings in a bid to balance the books between now and 2011.

The hardest-hit council is Trafford - the only Tory-run authority in Greater Manchester. It will receive just £3.5m of extra government cash over the three years, a 5.3 per cent increase on current levels.

Leader Coun Susan Williams said they were being `absolutely squeezed by the government' and added: "It doesn't surprise me. But how the government expects us to maintain the required level of services on this money I don't know."

The biggest winner is Oldham, which will get a £15.5m increase over the three years, equivalent to 14.6 per cent.

Manchester city council will get an extra £26.7m from the government - an 8.4 per cent increase - between now and 2011.

Deficit

Salford council, which will get £9.2m over the three years - a 7.6 per cent rise - said it is anticipating a £12m budget deficit in the coming financial year.

The councils in the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities now have to decide where to make extra money - with risks of council tax rises and service cuts if bosses cannot find enough through efficiency savings.

The three-year settlement allows finance chiefs to forecast how much they will need to raise through council tax. Final figures will be settled by the government in January.

Greater Manchester Police Authority will receive £445.6m next year as part of a £9.5bn national drive against crime. The GMPA figure will rise by an extra three per cent in both 2009/10 and 2010/11.

Authority chiefs are still examining the figures, but there could be unrest in the ranks after Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced a 2.5 per cent pay rise award for police to be backdated to December 1, rather than September as recommended by an independent tribunal.

What do you think? Have your say.

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edwards (07/12/2007 at 10:08)

as usual, the easy targets of Mental Health and Elderly Welfare Services and Provision will be hit, cutting back on what little there still exists. There will be no thought given to issues like council 'expenses' as that would upset all those on the council gravy train. Us hard working local people will once again, as we do year on year, end up paying more for less and less with the councils trotting out the usual line of blaming the government. Anyway, once all those law abiding migrant workers start paying council tax there should be more than enough money in the pot but doubt there is any chance of them being made to pay their share. no wonder they can all survive on a minimum wage when the rest of us live from week to week.

Chris, Irlam (07/12/2007 at 10:15)

What a surprise that the only Tory-run council in GM (that also happened to vote against Labour's Toll Tax) gets the rawest deal from Government.

Cynic? Moi?

Andy., Bury (07/12/2007 at 10:17)

Trafford the only Tory run borough? Bury may not have a Tory majority but it has a Tory leader and administration.

tram vet (07/12/2007 at 11:44)

so, all rises are well above inflation then. and yet the rest of us have to survive with wage rises of less than infation. so the councils all get more money (just not as much as they wanted) while the rest of us continue on the slope downwards!
expect the usual drivel about "cutting school bus services", cutting back on help for the vunerable and closing nursing homes. they should be looking at why they need 3-4 people stood chatting at the council tip instead of grafting, why every council van has to have 2-3 people in it and why the council still has a sickness rate over twice the national average!

ilford, manchester (07/12/2007 at 12:05)

Once again the ratepayers will be hit hard, having taken less than inflation rises while the government ministers yet again line their own pockets,this is another way of robbing peter to pay paul as they claw back the money paid out fighting their wars! and they even rip off the police now with their rise.

Simon B, www.manchestertolltax.com (07/12/2007 at 13:49)

18 years ago, just before the Poll tax came in, the then Tory Goverment reduced the the money it gave to Labour councils.

Meaning the Poll Tax had to be higher in the Labour coucils to compinsate making them less popular.

1989 = Poll Tax

2012 = C-Charge

dessie, manchester (07/12/2007 at 15:31)

looks like were in for another rise above inflation yet again, how much more can the working man be taxed in this country, its a joke. maybe we should all go on the dole and have benefits and freebies!!

gladys rowbotham, Manchester (07/12/2007 at 17:21)

Will tameside councillors still be able to travel to China?

ace, manchester (10/12/2007 at 11:45)

Its not before time that councils are forced to reel in the spending (no more jollying it up with big parties)paid for by the ratepayers like champagne paid for by the ratepayers. everytime i see Dickie leese in the paper hes always celebrating with a bottle with that grin on his face...

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