Ellie Ames 14 November 2024

Worcestershire set for £12.5m overspend

Worcestershire set for £12.5m overspend image
Image: Worcestershire County Council

Worcestershire County Council must act to avoid a projected overspend of £12.5m this year, a report has warned.

A document setting out the council’s budget position in September, six months into the financial year, said the forecast overspend was primarily caused by pressures within social care and home to school transport.

The report said this financial year was ‘an extremely challenging time for local government’ amid inflationary and demand pressures and a ‘large degree of financial uncertainty’.

Worcestershire has already used £7.9m in risk reserves this year.

The report also warned that the council was struggling to deliver £38.4m of planned savings, with a ‘significant’ risk that £6.3m of these savings would not be made.

It stressed that closing the financial gap was ‘essential’ to the council’s sustainability and resilience as it worked to set its budget for 2025-26.

It warned that setting next year’s budget was ‘once again a challenging process’.

The council currently faces a £25m budget gap for 2025-26.

It said that after using some of its reserves in recent years, ‘tough choices’ would need to be considered.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

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

Strategy Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 per annum
Would you like an exciting opportunity to make a difference to the lives of families in County Durham? We have a vacancy in our Strategy Team, helpin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Swim Teacher

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
Durham County Council are looking for an enthusiastic Swim Teachers to join our team.   Wolsingham Leisure Centre – 6.5 hours – Permanent post   WHAT Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Adoption Team Manager

Durham County Council
£50,269 to £54,495 p.a. (Grade 14)
Lead the Future of Adoption in Durham – Team Manager Opportunity Are you ready to make a real impact in children’s lives? Durham’s Adoption Service i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner