Council to make cuts to try and balance books

Ipswich Borough Council increased their portion of council tax by the maximum allowed this year

A Labour-run council says it is looking at cuts and changes to services to try to balance its budget.

Ipswich Borough Council is predicting a budget gap of £23.3m over the next four years, an increase of £6.6m from earlier predictions.

Measures put forward include charging, like many other councils, for garden waste collection and increased parking charges on Ipswich Town FC matchdays.

The leader of the council, Neil MacDonald, said there were "difficult decisions" ahead, while the Conservative opposition group said more should have been done by the council over recent years to put the finances on a "more secure footing".

The council's overall budget forecast for the financial year 2024-25 was £84,983,860 (net expenditure).

It is the only local authority in Suffolk that does not currently charge for garden waste collections, but leaders are proposing a £50 yearly fee, which could bring in £1.6m over the next four years.

Another change being looked at would see increased charges for car parks close to Portman Road football stadium on matchdays.

Currently there is a £6 charge, that would rise to £15.

Ed Sheeran performed at Ipswich Music Day in 2009 and 2010

The council says it is looking at cutting some of the events it organises throughout the year such as its Family Fun Days and Pantaloons events.

The authority says it will continue to put on Ipswich Music Day and a Christmas lights switch-on.

Other changes could include reduced opening hours at some council swimming pools and at Christchurch Mansion.

Charges for leisure centres and other sports facilities are proposed to rise, alongside the introduction of entrance fees for some exhibitions at the Wolsey Art Gallery.

Charges for replacement or new bins could be introduced, with the authority saying it currently replaces 2,300 bins a year, and a £45 fee could be introduced.

Neil MacDonald said they would have to stop some services

Mr MacDonald said: “While we face difficult decisions, our priority remains to protect essential frontline services wherever possible.

"The council has a strong track record of delivering savings and it's vital we continue to do so – no matter how hard the decisions are.”

Jack Abbott, Ipswich MP, said he supported the council's proposals

The recently elected Labour MP for Ipswich, Jack Abbott, said: “Whilst this budget required tough decisions, I know the borough council has acted to secure the future of our town’s finances and keep key services delivering for local people.

“I welcome the new Labour government’s commitment to multi-year funding settlements for councils, providing the financial stability they need to deliver first-class local services."

Opposition Conservative leader Ian Fisher said: "Everyone is aware that local government finances have been stretched over the past few years but I am shocked to see the level of cuts being introduced by the Labour-run Ipswich Borough Council.

"More could and should have been done over the past few years to get the finances on a more secure footing so that the people of Ipswich are not penalised for the failings of councillors and officers.

"We have not been proactive enough to source alternative income streams and have relied for far too long on the income from car parks to balance the books."

There has so far been no comment on what these budget changes mean for some of the council's large scale plans, such as reducing office space and the building of an aquatics centre.

The proposals will be discussed by the cabinet at a meeting on 10 September before going before the full council later.