Setting a budget amid the need to find almost £50m in savings has been an “enormous task” according to the Mayor of Liverpool.
Liverpool Council has confirmed its final budget proposals for the next financial year following receipt of a government settlement just before Christmas. As a result, the amount the city needs to save stands at £49m rather than the eye-watering £73m previously feared.
As part of the better than expected settlement outcome, the local authority has confirmed welfare-related budget options including reduction or removal of the benefits maximisation team; reduction of the council tax support scheme; reducing the number of One Stop Shops and removal of council tax relief for foster carers have been avoided. However, the council has confirmed it will seek to raise council tax by the new higher level of 4.99% when it meets on March 1.
