Trafford budget proposals: council tax rise and charges for lollipop services
Council bosses announce cuts.
by Ryan Gerrard
Schools in Trafford could be forced to pay for lollipop ladies and men due to new council plans.
In a bid to raise another £42 million by the year 2020, the council have announced a series of money saving proposals.
Council Leader, Sean Anstee pictured, spoke to Key 103 about Trafford’s latest round of cuts.
“We’re going to look at how we can try and generate income. What is pretty clear is that the council’s ability to continue to fund discretionary services is changing. I think our residents and parents would expect us to look at other possible ways first, before we take a decision that they wouldn’t want us to take.”
Mr Anstee expressed that the council’s actions are in an attempt to make the borough a healthier place to live and work for its residents.
“It’s about making the Trafford pound go further. We know from a few years ago that our school crossing patrols are valued by parents and by schools and so we have a view to give them the best possible opportunity to sustain school crossing patrols here in future.”
In addition to the lollipop funding cuts, Trafford Council have revealed that they are planning to more than double car parking charges in the area. This latest change is reported to raise around £700, 000; which in effect will protect vital services within the Trafford area.
To help achieve their £42 million goal, Trafford are also planning to increase the level of council tax by around 4% in 2017/18.
Trafford currently upholds the lowest council tax in both the North West and any Metropolitan District in England. This proposed increase is believed to raise £3.35m.
People have taken to social media to express their views over Trafford’s new plans: