Ellie Ames 14 February 2024

Nottingham executive refuses to back budget cuts

Nottingham executive refuses to back budget cuts image
Image: Destinos Espetaculares / Shutterstock.com

Executive members of cash-strapped Nottingham City Council have refused to recommend a report that sets out £20m in budget cuts.

Council leader David Mellen said the majority Labour administration decided there was ‘little to recommend’ in a report that proposes cuts to library provision, the number of community protection officers and grants to the voluntary sector.

Officers had put forward the proposals in a bid to fill a £60m budget gap forecast for 2024-25, after being instructed by a government-appointed improvement and assurance board to bring forward all savings they considered possible.

Cllr Mellen said this directive, a condition of receiving exceptional financial support, created what felt like a ‘no win’ situation for councillors.

However, he said the Labour group would ‘seriously consider’ the council’s duty to set a balanced budget when the report is brought to the formal budget-setting meeting on 4 March.

In November, Nottingham issued a section 114 notice due to its inability to deliver a balanced budget for the 2023-24 financial year.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Linkedin Banner