Rochdale Council's core spending reduced by 31%

Rochdale Borough Council

Rochdale's core spending has been reduced by a staggering 31%, equating to £355.84 per person. This is the 19th highest out of 151 upper-tier local authorities, Councillor Richard Farnell told Thursday’s (14 September) Budget Cabinet meeting. 

He said: "We have lost 31% of our spending power. The average for England is well below this at 22%. We have been squeezed from every angle; it is a wonder we are still here. As an authority, we try to maintain as far as possible and protect our frontline services like disabled adults, vulnerable children and educating students.

"It becomes more difficult as the cuts keep coming. There has to be an end to it. People are sick and tired of austerity."

The Cabintet approved the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2018/19 to 2022/23.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) is a key part of the budget setting process, providing a robust, consistent and sustainable approach to establishing and maintaining a stable and prudent financial basis on which the Council’s services are delivered.

Cabinet members are required to recommend a balanced Revenue Budget and Capital Programme 2018/19 to 2020/21 to Budget Council.

The strategy links the Council’s vision and priorities with its financial budgets and details how the finances will be structured to fit with, and support, the priorities of the Council and its partners.

Medium term financial planning is critical to ensuring that the Council has a clear understanding of the level of available resources, the costs of delivering existing services and plans for new services.

Budget assumptions contained in the strategy will be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that the medium term forecasts provide an early indication of any changes, both as a result of government changes and local pressures affecting the medium term financial plan.

A balanced budget will be set for 2018/19 by 11 March 2018.

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