Glaswegians asked for their opinions on council budget cuts

Glasgow City Council are asking Glaswegians for their opinions on the council's 2016/17 and 2017/18 budgets.

The council says its budget for local services remains under substantial pressure – with the council expected to find savings of £133 million over the next two years.

Proposals prepared for the council administration identify a series of "potential service reforms and efficiencies" that could meet £43 million of the £86 million target for 2016/17.

It is proposing to draw £25 million from balances which it says will effectively lessening the impact of next year’s budget shortfall and giving the city an additional 12 months to find and consult on savings.

Launching an initial month-long consultation, Chief Executive Annemarie O’Donnell urged citizens to have their say on funding for services and securing savings.

She said: “There is no doubt the city faces some very substantial financial challenges.

“In determining spending priorities, nobody is more important than the citizens who depend on the services the council provides.

“By taking part in this budget consultation, Glaswegians can ensure their elected representatives understand exactly what they value the most about the services the council provides – and where they think it could make savings.”

The local government settlement for 2016/17 includes a cash reduction of £53 million which, coupled with budget pressures of £33 million, means the council has a budget shortfall of £86 million in the next financial year.

When added to an estimated shortfall of £47 million forecast for 2017/18, the requirement for savings over the next two years is £133 million.

Through its Transformation Strategy, the council says it has identified a series of potential service reforms and efficiencies that could save £77 million over the next two years.

Proposals prepared for the council’s administration also target other savings during 2016/17.

The use of balances, equal to 40% of the council’s total balances, is proposed to mitigate the scale of savings required from April.

Equivalent savings would have to be found in 2017/18, leading to a total of £72 million, with £38 million of that figure still to be identified.

Councillors are planning more consulting on this mitigation strategy between now and early 2017.

Glasgow’s budget consultation is now live and citizens will be able to have their say and make suggestions via the council's website until 19 February.

This initial phase will be followed by further consultation over the next year.

Councillors plan to host a short series of meetings with key community groups to discuss and record their views.

Councillors will receive a report on citizens' responses before they set a budget for 2016/17 on 10 March.

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