Bristol City Council seeks views on massive funding shortfall
The local authority needs to save £23 million and wants your opinion on how to do it
Bristol City Council are asking for your opinion on how to manage a massive shortfall in finances.
The local authority is £23 million short in cash this year, which is being blamed on the pandemic and increasing social care costs.
A consultation will launch on Friday (5 November) to gauge our views on how to manage the shortfall.
Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Finance, Governance and Performance, Cllr Craig Cheney, said: “There remains a significant financial challenge for the coming year and Bristol is not alone.
"The local picture in Bristol reflects the national one as the public sector is squeezed like never before."
Cllr Cheney says the issue has in part been caused by a reduction in government funding at a time when "the need has never been greater" with people facing housing, mental health and employment crises.
"Our biggest expenditure is social care services, and demand and costs for care services has increased," he said.
“Setting a budget for the next year is a complex task and we are looking at all ways we can drive down costs and work more efficiently while continuing to provide the services our citizens value.”
In a statement, the council says it has its own ideas for how to save money, which include:
- Reviewing all property owned by the council to decide if it is being used appropriately and efficiently
- Making the council "more business like" by charging the market rate for chargeable services
- Joining up some council services and removing unnecessary duplication
- Reducing the need for direct services by helping other organisations, communities and individuals take things on
- Redesigning, reducing or even stopping services where feasible
The budget consultation will be open until Friday 17 December.
Once open, a link will be published on the council's website.