Have your say on Bolton’s budget

4 Dec 2018 08:49

Bolton Council has launched a public consultation on its 2019-21 budget proposals.

Since 2011, the council has had £155 million less to spend due to central government cuts.

Consultation has now started on proposals to make a further £31.5 million savings over the next two financial years, following approval by the Cabinet today (December 3).

The authority plans to use £8 million from reserves to balance its 2019-21 budget, meaning directorates will have to find savings of £23.5 million.

A further £8 million would also be used from reserves to allow savings to be phased in.

The report also recommends a 2.5 per cent increase in council tax, made up of a 1 per cent adult social care levy and a 1.5 per cent general levy.

These figures do not include the Greater Manchester mayoral precept, which is yet to be announced.

Consultation will run until January 14, 2019. A final report taking feedback into account will go back to the Cabinet on February 11, 2019 and to a meeting of full council for approval on February 20.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “Sadly, we know that the changes we are proposing will affect the lives of people in our town and so we need people to have their say.

“Our funding has been cut by central government steadily for over a decade and this has meant changes to the services we provide.

“However, our vision for the future of Bolton has to be one of growth and making the town a desirable place to live and work.

“We are working hard to make this happen and there are some fantastic opportunities ahead of us, such as the £1bn masterplan, which will bring a significant economic boost right across our borough.

But as well as the big plans we have for our town, unfortunately cuts cannot be avoided.

“And there is no getting away from it - we face a major financial challenge and services we provide will have to change or be delivered differently.”

For more information, visit www.bolton.gov.uk/consultations.

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