Ellie Ames 11 September 2024

‘People will be angry’: Council must find £11m to avoid S114

‘People will be angry’: Council must find £11m to avoid S114 image
Image: North Somerset Council

North Somerset must take ‘radical’ action to avoid issuing a Section 114 notice, the authority has said in a stark warning.

The unitary council is facing a £23.5m overspend this year and has told residents to prepare for non-essential services being reduced or withdrawn, warning that they ‘will see and feel a difference’.

Savings of almost £12m have been identified so far, with spending said to have been postponed or cancelled wherever possible, but an £11.6m budget gap remains.

Council leader Mike Bell said: ‘Some of our decisions will be unpopular. People will be angry.

‘We will do our best to ensure our communities have all the information they need so they understand why we are having to take such action.’

The council labelled the situation a 'financial emergency', which it said was largely caused by ‘unprecedented’ pressure on social care, housing and home to school transport services.

But it warned the crisis was not a one-off, after recalculating its future spending plans and discovering a £30m deficit for each of the next three years.

The council’s executive will meet on 17 September to discuss its budget plans.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner