William Eichler 09 January 2024

Stoke-on-Trent council warns of ‘radical cuts’

Stoke-on-Trent council warns of ‘radical cuts’ image
Image: Alexander Lukatskiy / Shutterstock.com.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council may be forced to declare effective bankruptcy and make ‘radical cuts’ to services if extra Government support is not secured, the council leader has warned.

The council is in talks with the Government for a package of extra financial support of up to £44.7m over a two-year period.

The local authority is consulting on proposals that would save a total of £3.4m, with a further £4.6m saved in back-office work.

Proposals to cut 16.1 net full-time equivalent job losses and increase council tax by 4.99% are also being considered.

Council leader Jane Ashworth said: ‘Times have seldom felt so hard – we know that is the case for many families in the city, and the same can be said for our public services. We have some very difficult choices to make if we are to set a balanced budget for the next financial year.’

She added: ‘Failure to set a balanced budget will probably result in government commissioners running the council, like in other areas across the country, which may result in radical cuts to services that we know local people care deeply about such as potentially closing leisure centres and museums, stopping street cleaning and grass cutting, less highway maintenance and less frequent bin collections.’

If this article was of interest, then check out, 'Can local government take much more?', 'Preventing future Section 114 notices' and 'How to fix local government finance'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum
Register your interest here to be notified of upcoming Social Worker opportunities within Essex County Council's Adult Social Care services in Mid Es England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Project Support Officers

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £38,220 - £41,771
Two exciting Project Support Officer – SEND opportunities have arisen within our Home to School Transport team. One role is permanent and the other a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Cleaner Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata 12.5 hours per week, whole time Permanent Required as soon as possible The children, staff, and governors of Chester Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£37,101 - £45,352
Class Teacher  M3-M6 £37,101 - £45,352 Full Time, Whole Time Temporary – required to cover maternity leave from Monday 5th January 2026 until the date Newton Aycliffe
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Supervisor

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Supervisor Grade 1  £24,796 pro rata 6.25 hours per week, term time only Permanent Required as soon as possible  The Governors of St Oswald Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner