Council budget set to protect most vulnerable adults

11 Feb 2020 12:57
Published by: Daniel Almond

Bolton Council’s Cabinet has recommended no increase in the general council tax rate with a 2% rise for adult social care to protect those most vulnerable adults, as part of the budget for 2020-1.

The Cabinet has also proposed to make available £20,000 from the Public Health reserve to phase in the proposed increase in bowling fees to £45 in the first year, and £65 in subsequent years subject to the current consultation. It is also proposing a review which will involve representatives from bowling clubs, on establishing a sustainable future for bowling greens.

The council tax comprises a number of individual elements.

The general levy is that part of the council tax which is used to fund any council service.

The Adult Social Care precept was introduced by the government in 2016/17 allowing those councils which provide social care to adults to increase their share of council tax by up to 2%.

A report to the Cabinet meeting on Monday 10 February, provided an update about the two-year budget and how the council has made progress of £11.6 million towards the savings target of £23.5 million.

This is the second year of a two year budget which was set last year. The council used £8 million from reserves to balance the budget and meant directorates finding savings of £23.5 million.

The figures do not include the Greater Manchester mayoral precepts, which is yet to be decided.

The council’s budget and the council tax recommendations will be discussed at the full council meeting on Wednesday 19 February, which will make the final decision.

“We are presenting a fair budget which looks to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” said the Leader of the Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh.

“Despite the tough pressures that we face we will be recommending a balanced budget without the need for any further savings beyond the requirement set last year.

“We have also listened to what representatives from bowling clubs are telling us and have put forward a proposal to mitigate the effects of the savings we have to find. This will give us the opportunity to discuss further the safeguarding of the sport for future generations with them.

“We are seeing however increasing pressures on social care and other services. The government will be carrying out its fair funding review of local government financing and we will be pushing the borough’s case vigorously with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.”

You may be interested in