Council warns of “tough decisions” as budget savings challenges start to bite

LEEDS City Council has warned it is facing further “severe reductions” in its funding over the next three years that it says are so challenging that it will have “no choice” but to make tough decisions that will impact on services.

After six years of major cuts, the council said its financial planners are having to work increasingly hard to identify areas where savings can be made.

It says this is after the significant efficiencies to cope with the cuts of previous years and on top of more than 80% of savings so far identified this time.

In a report to be considered by the council’s executive board next week, it is revealed that despite “considerable work”, it has not yet been possible to find sufficient savings or income-generating opportunities to close the gap in finances for the next three years.

Councillors will be asked to approve the current draft strategy with the proviso that further proposals on how to meet the shortfall will be brought back to them at a future meeting.

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said: “After six years of continuous cuts to the council’s budget, we’re now at a point where something has to give. It’s become almost impossible to make sensible savings without significantly affecting front line services that the people of Leeds rely on. Leeds City Council’s core funding from Whitehall has already been cut by £214m since 2010.

“Over the last six years we have done everything we can to streamline spending and find back office efficiencies, while still doing our best to protect council services for the people of the city.

“If we don’t see a change of direction from Government in the Autumn Statement we will be left with no choice but to make some very hard decisions that will inevitably affect front line services in Leeds.

“When our new Prime Minister took over she promised to ensure a country fair for all. It’s now time for those holding the purse-strings nationally to re-examine whether sustained austerity is capable of delivering that.”