A number of key Liverpool council services could be axed or dramatically changed as the local authority attempts to bridge a huge gap in its budget for next year.
In November, proposals were first published on how Liverpool City Council would look to plug a £73m funding gap after another round of central Government punishing cuts. The latest cost savings will mean that more than half a billion pounds has been taken away from the council’s coffers since 2010.
Since the proposals were first outlined - which included a potential hike in council tax, increasing fees and charges as well as a review of its libraries and fitness centres - a number of public consultations have been launched as the Cunard authority looks for some input on areas it can cut from.
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While children’s services is one area where £19m in savings could be found, consultations are currently being held on ways services could be adapted or removed altogether, with the council wanting to hear from the public until closing dates early in the new year. One of those ongoing is proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme, which could produce £3m in savings.
Liverpool Council’s preferred option is to reduce the maximum amount of Council Tax Support for working age households to 80%, meaning a person living in a Band A Property would pay an extra £168 per year and generate £3m in savings. Another proposal is to reduce the amount of support to 85%, which would generate approximately £1.7m saving, but require further cuts from other areas.
The closing date for feedback on the Council Tax Support Scheme is January 13, with the public’s comments also being sought on whether the majority of the city’s ‘One Stop Shop’ services should be axed. The opening times at sites such Kirkdale and Norris Green could also be reduced.
Other consultations ongoing until the first week of the new year included potential changes to the The Benefits Maximisation Service. The discretionary support team consists of specialist advisors that help residents claim benefits as well as offering wider support.
According to the council, the team received in excess of 6,000 referrals between 2021-22 and helped residents to claim £8.3M in additional benefits. However one option could see the scheme scrapped to save £1.1m a year, or reduce its scope in order to save £800,000 a year. A consultation on these proposals ends on January 27.
The local authority said it also hopes to achieve £1.1m in savings by removing or replacing some of the items and services currently available via the Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme, a discretionary support service for residents who find themselves in an emergency or crisis. These proposals include introducing a ‘repair or replace’ element for domestic appliances, no longer providing furniture packages for some tenants, removing the availability of some items and replacing cash awards with supermarket vouchers.
A public consultation on these proposals runs until January 27. Feedback will be considered before a report is sent to the budget council meeting in March, with any changes coming into effect from April 1.
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