A combination of inflation and rises in the national living wage means that Bradford Council is facing an extra £58m of costs next year.
Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe today warned that ‘difficult decisions’ had to be made as she launched a consultation on the local authority’s proposed budget plans for 2023-24.
The local authority estimates that it will face an extra £58.6m cost next year – a figure equivalent to around 15% of the council’s current net budget.
A report from the council’s director of finance cites inflationary pressures for energy in council buildings and street-lights, and increases in transport fuel costs as some of the factors behind the extra costs. It also points to the National Pay award and rises in the National Living Wage.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: ‘Times are incredibly difficult for the residents of our district and this proposed budget will continue to deliver vital services and also invest in services that are needed by our most vulnerable.
‘Council finances were already under pressure as a result of austerity, rising demand and increasing costs. Since 2011, Bradford Council has had to deliver £310m of budget reductions. This has required difficult decisions to be made.’
