Bradford Council’s proposed budget for 2025-26 will be presented to the council’s Executive on 4 March, and then to full council for approval on 6 March.
The budget report makes it clear that the council continues to face severe financial challenge as a result of the previous Government’s funding cuts, historically low council tax base and the rising costs of children’s and adult social care.
While Government recognises the fragility of local government finances nationally and is bringing forward plans to address this, there is still a need for significant action at local level.
The Council is progressing with its five-year plan to return to financial sustainability with savings proposals of £42.8m being brought forward for the coming year. Included with this, as well as finding more efficient ways of working, is the proposed one-off increase in Council tax of 9.99%, which will help avoid additional borrowing costs of £111m over the next 20 years.
Government gave permission for the rise because Bradford Council has been one of the hardest hit by the years of austerity and the least able to recover from this position because of its comparatively very low council tax.
The Council will still need to make savings of £50 million per year for the following four years and continue to work closely with partners including the Bradford Children and Families Trust.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said:
“Following 14 years of cuts to funding from central government and increasing costs of children’s and adult social care the choice we face is stark. We either increase council tax by £2-3 a week which I know is hard for many people, or council taxpayers have to spend more of their money in future years on just paying off borrowing costs. It’s not a choice anyone wants to have to make.
“We are trying wherever possible to find new ways of working and new funding sources so that we can save money for council taxpayers without cutting vital services. But the proposals laid out in this budget are vital in getting finances back on track.
“The Council provides essential services which many people rely on. To continue delivering those vital services we have to ensure the council’s finances are sustainable. Unfortunately, that means making difficult decisions like this.”
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