Cost of COVID-19 must be factored into budget

I can understand residents wondering why the forthcoming budget 21/22 brings with it difficult decisions when RBWM is set to have delivered a surplus on the budget 20/21 of more than £3million.

Why not use the £3million to avoid making further difficult decisions, many ask?

The answer is surprisingly simple; this year Government lived up to their word and compensated the council for the increased cost of managing the COVID-19 pandemic as well as about 70 per cent of lost income from our leisure centres and car parks.

So COVID-19 has had a neutral effect on this year’s budget and RBWM’s remarkable officer team delivered critical transformation programmes in the midst of a global pandemic to ensure our services are returned to long-term financial sustainability.

Both of these have contributed to the £3million surplus in budget 20/21.

The budget in 2021/22 will be different. COVID-19 will still be with us and will need to be managed, restrictions on our lives will continue and income from car parking, leisure and commercial properties will be down.

We estimate the cost of COVID-19 alone next year will be a massive £9.25 million but expect government to provide just £6 million to support this shortfall leaving a £3million gap.

The council is required by law to deliver a budget where expenditure and income match and this year’s savings will be used to bridge that gap.

Any alternative would mean Government stepping in and making these decisions for us.

By taking and delivering difficult decision this year, we will have successfully put RBWM's finances back on a sustainable footing and delivered much-need and longoverdue transformation of key frontline ser vices.

The last two years have been tough but by taking these difficult decisions we are now in a position to support the local economic recovery and help our most vulnerable.

Cllr DAVID HILTON Lead member for finance and Ascot