Chiefs propose three pc council tax hike
COUNCIL cuts in Stockport offer a ‘bleak’ vision of the future as budget proposals include slashing millions from frontline services, job losses and a 2.99pc council tax hike.
A town hall finance report says the council needs to find almost £16m in savings for its 2019/20 budget - and that figure will rise to £47m by 2022.
Labour boss Alex Ganotis said: “In terms of cuts the future is bleak and it’s going to get worse.
“I don’t want to put a spin on the facts because I need to be clear that we have to fill a £47m funding gap.”
Proposals include cutting £1.1m from children and education services by reviewing some housing support and children’s health services.
In addition, £500,000 could be cut from transport services by consolidating the work of agencies who provide school and area services.
Meanwhile, a council tax increase of 2.99pc (1.99pc general and 1pc adult social care) will result in an additional £4.485m of funding for the council.
However, people living in Stockport already pay more council tax than anywhere else in Greater Manchester with an average band D property occupied by two adults costing £1,744.
Coun Ganotis, who recently announced he will be stepping down from the council in May, added: “The approach we are taking is to mitigate the impact of (the funding gap) on residents, particularly the vulnerable, as much as possible.
“I’m not saying to residents don’t worry about the shortfall in funds because we have a plan in place so you won’t notice it.
“There is real pain here in terms of a council tax rise and because of some of our proposals, but we have increased demand pressures coupled with the lack of government support in order to meet those pressures.”
The report also states that the overall loss of full-time jobs will be between 55 to 80 - and further ‘implications may be identified’ as service reviews are developed
“The total number of staff displaced will be dependent on the salary costs of the deleted posts,” the report adds.
Cost savings also include a review of the council’s assets such as building and maintenance costs and changes to leased and rented accommodation.