Biggest ever cuts in Swindon Borough Council's spending being drawn up
The council has already identified cuts of £18m for next year’s budget.
The biggest ever cuts in Swindon Borough Council’s spending are set to be made in the budget being drawn up for 2024-25.
It's down to growing demand for council services and a higher rate of inflation - meaning just providing the same levels of services as in the 2023-24 budget will cost the Swindon Taxpayer £4.4 million more.
The council has already identified cuts of £18m for next year’s budget – and another £14m may also have to be found in savings.
The salutary report on how planning the budget is coming, to be made to the council’s Labour cabinet by the cabinet member for finance Councillor Kevin Small says they should: “Note the council’s serious financial position and the immediate requirement for urgent and clear action to address this, and that the Local Government Settlement for 2024/25 has yet to be published and therefore the funding position remains uncertain.”
Cllr Small’s report says the growth in demand on the children’s services department is causing the most problems: “In line with the national picture, the largest area of expenditure pressure in 2024/25 relates to children’s social care due to increased placement costs as a result of a national shortage of suitable provision at the right level, resulting in higher cost placements.
“In addition, the improvement plan, linked to the Ofsted inspection findings, has identified the need for a significant increase in staffing.”