A better than expected government settlement is “not a cause for rejoicing” according to the leader of Liverpool Council’s largest opposition group.
Reacting to the confirmed budget proposals released on Thursday, Cllr Richard Kemp, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said Liverpool had faced a “wasted 13 years” with “fancy pants schemes” while “basic services… were ignored.” The city 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. Council tax could go up by almost 5% to help plug that gap but some of the more unpalatable plans such as cuts to benefits services and One Stop Shops have been spared.
