Council warns it must make £47.8m worth of savings

Kirklees Council says it will need to make “tough decisions” to balance its books.

It has outlined how it must make £47.8m worth of savings before setting its budget next year.

Senior councillors have considered the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, which aims to ensure the council balances its budget, remains financially stable over the next five years and prioritises its spending.

The council explains it has been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis with pressures on energy, pay, goods and services.

Those costs sit alongside increasing demands on services like social care for older residents and costs for children and young people who need extra support.

Earlier this month, the council introduced new actions to cut spending. This included strict controls on all expenditure, freezing recruitment further and re-assessing future investment plans.

The financial report will commit the council to bringing forward further savings proposals and income generation plans over the coming weeks in order to set a balanced budget for the 2024/25 financial year.

Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, Councillor Graham Turner, said: “In Kirklees, we’ve been open about our finances and how the cost-of-living crisis and our longstanding under-funding has given us particular challenges this year.

“But this financial plan shows we’re facing up to the challenge. Over the past few months, we’ve taken urgent action to address the immediate financial issues and this updated strategy will build on that work to safeguard the financial future of the council, which is key to delivering all our services.

“Growing our economy, making efficiencies and prioritising spending will be key to overcoming the pressures we face and setting the council on a firm financial footing.’

“There are tough decisions to come. But we will continue to be open with residents and keep putting pressure on Government to give Kirklees residents the fair deal on funding they deserve.”