The Leader of Trafford Council has written to the government urging for a fair deal for the local authority as it faces the need to find savings worth millions of pounds again to balance its books.
In the letter, Cllr Tom Ross calls for Michael Gove MP, the Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to bring forward a Fairer Funding review and also provide immediate relief to the borough.
Cllr Ross says since 2010, the council has addressed budget gaps of £288m while its funding has fallen by 60% in real terms.
Increasing need for council services, especially among the more vulnerable in society coupled with high inflation and energy costs mean another challenging financial year ahead. He says the Council can’t keep going on indefinitely having to bridge a massive budget gap year after year.
In his letter, Cllr Ross states: “We receive £11m a year less than similar authorities on average, a figure that is miniscule in terms of central government spending but would make a world of difference to the residents of Trafford.”
After addressing budget gaps of £288m since 2010, the Council is having to deal with a further £20m budget gap for the next financial year – and then find another £35m in savings by 2026. The Council has outlined £13.6m in savings for the next year but the cumulative impact of making savings year on year is taking its toll.
Cllr Ross added: “We have made cuts, we have made efficiencies, we have developed extra funding streams – we have done all we can while protecting our front line services to support our most vulnerable residents.
“All we are asking for is some fairness.”
