Council bosses won’t cut jobs or services to fill £6.5m budget gap

Town hall bosses in Tameside need to find £6.5m to balance the books – but have vowed not to cut jobs or services to reach that figure. 

The latest meeting of the executive cabinet heard how £9.9m of savings have been found to reduce a forecasted budget deficit of £17m. More money still needs to be saved.

Finance chief councillor Hugh Roderick said the biggest pressures are from inflation and in children’s social care, which is over budget by £6.6m.

The meeting heard how children’s services costs have been brought down through decreasing reliance on agency workers.

The council’s annual budget of £681m delivers essential services. Some £339m is spent on social care.

The town hall’s plan to recoup cash includes reducing non-essential spending; better financial monitoring; and service-led plans to address overspends and improve cost-effectiveness.

If the savings cannot be found, the local authority will need to use its finite reserves to plug the gap. The pot currently has £27.537m.

Coun Hugh Roderick, executive member for finance and resources, told the executive cabinet on November 26: “We are not cutting jobs or services.

“We are working to protect residents. We know what we will face because of the ongoing financial challenges.

“We are having to make some difficult choices in today’s budget. We are doing this in a transparent and open manner and we are protecting public services where possible. 

“£6.5m in savings must be found by the end of the financial year.”