A warning of cuts to services and job losses has been issued by South Gloucestershire Council after it revealed a £29.3million budget shortfall next year. The dire financial situation has been caused by an “unprecedented storm of global events” creating the cost-of-living crisis, as well as rising demand, especially in adult social care.
Papers going to cabinet on Monday, October 10, say the authority is being forced to find potential service changes or reductions, “some of which may result in redundancies at the council”. Projections show the deficit would rise to £32.8million in 2024/25 and £36.5million two years later, once previously agreed savings and the use of reserves have been implemented, despite councillors setting a four-year balanced budget as recently as February.
The grim forecast assumes council tax would increase by 1.99 per cent – the maximum allowed without a local referendum – plus one per cent ring-fenced for adult social care. A one per cent hike generates £1.6million for the organisation.
