Blackpool's Conservative opposition leader warns of council tax rises and cuts to services despite a £17 million funding boost for the town hall. Cllr Paul Galley criticizes the Labour council's financial management, pointing to overspending in key areas and the impact of rising national insurance on local budgets. He predicts residents will face reduced services and a maximum council tax increase to close a projected £21.1 million budget gap.
Blackpool’s Tory opposition leader has warned of council tax rises and cuts to services despite a £17m funding boost for town hall spending next year. Cllr Paul Galley, leader of the Conservative group on the council, branded its finances as being in "dire straits" and says over-spending in key areas of this year’s budget will impact residents in the coming financial year.
He said: “Blackpool Council’s finances remain in dire straits under the long standing mismanagement by the Labour Council, and the recently announced £17.7m of additional government funding is unlikely to resolve the deep-rooted financial issues." And he warned: “Next year residents face the prospect of reduced services and a maximum rise in the council tax to bridge the gap.”
However the council is projected to overspend by £7m on its current budget with reserves now expected to plummet to just £30,000 by the end of the financial year from £7m at the start of the year. Cllr Galley added: “The budget gap for the next financial year is projected to be £21.1m, compounded by ongoing overspends of over £8m in children’s and adult social care. Additionally, the under performance of the Growth and Prosperity programme, falling short by nearly £5m, has contributed to a bleak financial outlook.
Council Tax Service Cuts Overspending Funding Blackpool Council
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