Facing the daunting task of managing its budget, North Somerset Council has had to make tough decisions aimed at achieving savings of £11.6m. Despite this, the council still faces a significant deficit of almost £4m, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to maintain current service levels.
Council leader Mike Bell highlighted the difficulty of the situation, stating that the council had to take steps to increase revenue and alter service delivery to balance the books. However, he expressed that sustaining services at their current standard is a challenge in itself, not to mention funding the desired improvements.
The proposed cuts and savings will be presented to the council executive for a vote on December 6, prior to public consultation. Notably, the draft savings plan includes measures like maximizing independence for adults in the community to reduce service demand and a transformation program for children’s social care services, expected to yield substantial savings.
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In light of public input, Mr. Bell assured that the budget will prioritize key areas such as crime prevention, services for vulnerable individuals, infrastructure improvements, and support for town and village centers. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of efficiency, resource targeting, and technology in delivering services in a cost-effective manner.
Amidst the financial strain, Mr. Bell emphasized the critical need for greater support from the government, expressing concerns about rising costs and diminishing funding. He underlined the uncertainty caused by the lack of clarity on future government allocations, stressing the council’s push for fair funding to address pressing challenges.