Troubled council launches consultation on spending cuts

Stricken Nottingham City Council has officially launched a formal consultation period on draft proposals put forward by officers to close a £50m funding gap in 2024/25.

Councillors on the Executive Board met on Tuesday afternoon (December 19) to discuss plans to make the savings needed to balance its budget next year, which is a legal requirement for all local authorities.

The council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, councillor Audra Wynter, said: “There is a national funding crisis in local government caused by a huge increase in demand for vital services which support vulnerable children and adults and tackle homelessness. Providing these services accounts for nearly two-thirds of our spending so it’s no surprise our budget is under so much pressure, especially when you take into account the reductions in central government funding many councils have seen over the past decade or more.”

Wynter continued: “Like all councils, we have a legal responsibility to balance our budget. In order to do that next year, we have to consider some very difficult decisions about services which we, and local communities, value in order to make the savings needed.

“We want to be upfront with people about the serious situation we face as a city but no final decisions have been made on the proposals so I would urge everyone to have their say by completing the survey.”

The first event of the consultation will be held at the Council House today (Wednesday 20 December) from 5.30pm to 7pm where senior officers and councillors will be on hand to answer questions.