'Crazy' cuts criticised as Telford council tax increases 3.2 per cent

Following confirmation of the rise, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for finance Lee Carter has hit out at the government over what he says is a “crazy situation” where the authority still has to cut services despite increasing council tax.

He said cuts in grants from central government have left the council with no choice.

Councillor Carter said the council had made £117 million of cuts since 2010, and would still need another £28 to £30 million of annual savings by 2022.

According to the authority all of the money raised from the council tax increase will be invested into adult social care and children’s services, which now account for 70 per cent of its expenditure.

In addition the council has also agreed to increase the amount of council tax payable on over 140 long-term empty properties in the borough.

The move is expected raise about £60,000, which will be used to help tackle homelessness and additional support for young people leaving the council’s care.

He said: “Last month’s local government finance settlement provided no respite as we face another multi-million pound cut to our grant from government next year and government policy continues to push the burden of cuts in local government grant on to the council tax payer, a challenge that will only get greater in the years ahead if the government do not recognise the essential work done by councils such as providing vital support to vulnerable children and adults and maintaining our roads.

He added: “After making £117m per annum savings from our budget since 2010, we expect we will still need to find another £28m to £30m over the next three years.

“Sadly the state of local government finances after years of cuts in government grants is that we are in the crazy situation where because of the growing pressures on areas such as care for vulnerable adults and looked after children, despite us increasing council tax, we still have to make cuts in our budget and services."

Council leader Shaun Davies said schemes such as its solar farm, Nu Place, and “commercial services, which bring in around £25 million a year, had helped to protect services.

He said: “The fact that the council still continues to offer the range and quality of services it does is remarkable considering the cuts that government have forced upon us.

"It has been no easy achievement with many sacrifices having been made and with no little determination in us generating income from as many sources as possible.

“Our strategy has faced criticism from those who would have rather seen us privatise large swathes of the council, stop trying to invest in our communities.

“We have instead tried to carefully balance our responsibility of being financially responsible with our commitment to continue to bring communities together, invest in our residents and use the pride in our borough and our communities to help us find alternative ways to deliver the services which are so important to residents.”