Birmingham City Council unveil where first big cuts might land

It's as the council look to save 150 million pounds.

Author: Hannah RichardsonPublished 13th Dec 2023

Children's services look set to be dealt the biggest the biggest financial cut as Birmingham City Council find ways to save 300 million pound in the next two years.

A document published on the council's website details how they will save an initial 150 million pounds.

It's ahead of the Commissioners deadline of January, 7 for a credible plan and then a final budget in February.

Children and families services show a proposed £57m cut.

Twenty-nine million pounds will taken out of City Operations, which manages things like bin collections.

Council management is also due to receive a budget decrease of about £15.6m.

It is the first time details have been publicly shared of where cuts might take place.

However, the document outlines that this is not the final list of savings and plans could still change.

Other services set for saving cuts are Adult Social Care with £21m.

Areas such as public health, the communications team and chief executive’s office will lose £2.6m.

Things like contract savings and using digital tools will be cut of £8.5m.

Housing management and homelessness will be stripped of £5.8m from the housing management and £9m from the property and transport department.

Birmingham City Council effectively declared themselves bankrupt earlier this summer due to an equal pay claim worth up to £760m and the failing installation of an IT system.

In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the council were given permission to seek for "Exceptional Financial Support" from the Government to raise council tax above the 4.99 percent threshold and to sell off properties and assets.

The next council meeting regarding the budget is January, 7.

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