William Eichler 01 September 2022

Shropshire Council facing £18.8m overspend

Shropshire Council facing £18.8m overspend  image
Image: pitchr/Shutterstock.com.

Shropshire Council has warned that it is facing a predicted overspend of up to £18.8m due to inflation, rising energy costs, and the growing demand for council services.

The local authority’s first quarterly monitoring report of the council’s finances recorded that inflation is adding an extra £5m to the costs of running services.

It also reported that the extra demand for council services, in particular for children’s social care and safeguarding, is adding almost £7m.

The number of children in care in Shropshire Council’s area in April 2022 was 53% higher than in April 2020 and is up 21% year on year.

The council warned these extra costs was forcing the predicted overspend this year up between its best case scenario of £4.1m and worst case of £18.8m.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for finance, said: ‘Just as households face very big increases in costs, we’re also facing a really tough year with rising fuel and contract costs, but we remain focused on delivering our priorities set out in our Shropshire Plan.

‘The combination of inflation and growing demand for our services, linked to a number of factors, means we are now working hard to identify how we can quickly close the overspend gap between now and next April, while we are also looking at difficult decisions on what we can stop doing to help to make the savings we must find.’

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker - DBIT (Core) MID

Essex County Council
£37185.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - DBIT (Core) MIDFixed Term, Full Time£37,185 to £50,081 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£46574.0000 - £56027.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
This is a part time opportunity for 22.5 hours per week. These hours will cover 3 days including a Thursday and Friday, plus one other day that can England, Essex, Clacton-On-Sea
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Markets Team Manager (Strategic Commissioning Manager)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Drive real change in your community - shape the future of careDrive real change in your community - shape the future of careAt the Royal Borough of Ke England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

School Effectiveness Partner

Essex County Council
£62725.0000 - £73793.0000 per annum
School Effectiveness PartnerPermanent, Full Time£62,725 to £73,793 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

School Crossing Officer - Danbury Park Community School

Essex County Council
Up to £13.00 per hour
School Crossing Officer - Danbury Park Community SchoolPermanent, Part Time£13.00 per hourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner