Stockport Council is facing unprecedented financial pressures in the face of a perfect storm of energy price rises, the impact of Brexit on care service staffing, the continuing effects of the Covid pandemic and a lack of additional support from central government.
Speaking ahead of the Local Government Settlement, the annual decision on how much funding each council will get from Westminster, Cllr Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for the budget, said: “The pressures we face as a council are extraordinary. One very simple example is street lighting. Despite years of investment in low energy systems, our street lighting alone is costing us £2.5m a year more now compared to a year ago. This is just one very stark example among many.
“There are no easy answers. Westminster repeatedly ignores local government’s demands for better funding and, instead, the Conservative government seem to demand cuts to services and higher council taxes. Fortunately Stockport Council has a track record of strong financial management but, as we go into 2023, we will have to make some really difficult decisions to ensure we balance the books again for next year.”
