'Tough choices' as council looks to make £30m of savings

Cheshire West and Chester Council needs to make £29.8m of savings next year

Cheshire West and Chester Council plans to make savings of almost £30m next year and said “tough choices” have had to be made.

Proposals include introducing a near 5% rise in council tax, revamping services in social care and a review of museums.

A restructure of the council's highways department is also proposed.

Council leader Louise Gittins said it was “without a doubt the most demanding financial challenge we have ever faced as a local authority”.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's leader Louise Gittins said "tough choices" need to be made

The budget includes proposals for £29.8m of savings and investments for the 2024/25 financial year as well as savings for future years.

It also includes measures approved in previous years set to come into force in the next year.

One of the biggest cost-saving measures is revamping care for adults with a learning disability or mental health needs, to allow more people to live in “appropriate, affordable accommodation” in the borough.

The council said it planned to ensure enough placements in the area by reducing placements outside the borough and reducing spend per person on care.

Up to £2m has been set aside for investment in independent living accommodation.

The authority also plans to review funding for the Shop Mobility service, increase the number of dementia care home beds and work on systems for discharging people from hospital into care homes.

It also plans to reduce staffing levels through a mutually agreed resignation scheme.

Ms Gittins said the council had a “significant” budget gap, but was not at an imminent risk of issuing a section 114 notice, which is where a council is effectively bankrupt.

She said the authority planned to "transform" services to meet the needs of the community while also reducing costs and invest in early help.

“Many tough choices need to be made - now and in the future - but we will do everything we can to safeguard the financial sustainability of the council and continue to support our communities as effectively and compassionately as we possibly can," she said.

The budget is set to be signed off by councillors on 15 February.