Sefton Council must address a further ÂŁ9.14m funding gap to set a balanced budget for 2020/21.
For the past 6 years, the local authority has worked towards setting 2 three-year budget plans to ensure that the Councilâs financial statutory obligations are met.
However, the Governmentâs latest settlement is for one year only, which makes it extremely difficult to forecast the funding the Council is likely to receive in 2021/22 and 2022/23.
A report outlining a budget plan for 2020/21 has just been released that will go to Cabinet on February 13 with a final decision made along with setting any Council Tax increases at the Budget Meeting on February 27.
The report outlines a shortfall of ÂŁ9.14m for 2020/21 and at least a further ÂŁ22.83m for the following two years.
These further savings come after Sefton Council has been required to meet an overall budget shortfall of ÂŁ233m since 2010.
Cllr Ian Maher, Labour leader at Sefton Council, said: âSince 2010 we have had to make savings of more than ÂŁ233m â that equates to a staggering ÂŁ722 per household in the borough.
âThe process of trying to set a balanced budget seems to be relentless and we now have to make further tough choices for the next financial year and our budget plan will have to reflect this.
âWhile we have an excellent track record of effectively managing our finances and delivering financial sustainability, this is becoming increasingly difficult and what the Government is proposing is simply not a viable solution.
âThere are still huge pressures on both adult and childrenâs social care along with our schools but our calls for help in these areas seem to go ignored. These pressures are only going to get worse and the government continues to expect the Council to increase Council Tax to ensure our most vulnerable are protected.
âHowever, we will strive to ensure that essential services that safeguard the most vulnerable residents across the whole borough are protected and prioritised in addition to ensuring that financial sustainability is maintained.
âThis is no easy feat and when I look around the borough, Iâm still amazed and impressed with the quantity and quality of services that we still continue to offer.
âThe budget plan report will hopefully enable us to set a balanced budget for 2020/21 and allow us to plan for the next two years to give the Council sufficient time to identify specific proposals to deliver financial sustainability until 2023.
âWe will continue to work with our elected members and partners during this uncertain period and carry on doing the best for our valued communities.â
Leaders at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS Southport and Formby CCG and Sefton Council are backing Childrenâs Mental Health Week (February 3-9). They are encouraging children to talk to their parents or carers about their mental health and to seek support from local services.
