Council comes in £6.5m ahead of budget forecast

The authority had predicted an overspend of £14.5m but the final figure was much lower

Shropshire Council has said its budget position is "better than expected", in final accounts for the last financial year.

Savings in the last three months of 2023-24 reduced an expected deficit of £14.5m to £8m.

In a report to the authority's cabinet, finance bosses said demand for adult and children's social care had continued to increase.

It warned that 2024-25 would remain a "highly challenging" year.

A year ago, Shropshire Council set out plans to save £52m in the 12 months to April 2024.

In the end, it achieved £41m or 80% of the target.

The equivalent figure for the current year is even higher at £62m

The council has already set out planned savings for the year, including cuts to leisure services and recycling centres.

Council tax also rose by 4.99%.

Last year's budget included £20m from reserves to fund the increased cost of social care.

Only £8.2m remained going into the new budget - about half the recommended level.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.