Latest council saving proposals approved

Councillor Allen Brett, Leader of the Council

The latest round of budget savings proposals, part of £3.6 million of savings for 2019/20, have been approved and will now go forward to a full council meeting in December.

A 45-day consultation ended in September before a meeting of the council’s cabinet considered the proposals.

The three proposals that have been approved are:

• Review of voluntary sector grant to homelessness prevention services
• Reduction of funding to community centres
• Review of the contract for welfare advice and legal services

A proposal on residents’ parking permits will be subject to further review.

Government reductions in council funding means £178.1 million has already been cut from services over the past nine years. Further savings need to be made for 2019/20 so that a balanced budget can be set.The council needs to find a further £17.4 million of savings; £5.8 million from general council services and £11.6 million from health and social care integration. 

Council leader and cabinet member for finance, Councillor Allen Brett, said: “Residents can be assured we fully understand the financial challenge we continue to face and have a good track record in delivering savings. We have no choice but to set a balanced budget so we need to ensure the council lives within its means. Savings continue to be made as part of day-to-day improvements in the way we operate and ongoing work with our partners to integrate the council and the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group will generate savings while enhancing the services provided.”

To find out more about the council’s financial challenge and how to give your views and money saving ideas, visit

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/savings