Stoke-on-Trent: 'Nasty proposals' in next budget - council leader

Council leader Jane Ashworth wants residents to be able to ask questions about the plans

The leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council has warned that the next budget will contain "some nasty proposals".

The council is trying to avoid effective bankruptcy and faces a predicted £8m overspend for 2023-24.

It is preparing to set its 2024/25 budget, with a consultation on its plans starting on 5 January.

"I think it's really important this consultation exercise is lively and reaches out to people," said Jane Ashworth.

"There are some nasty proposals going to come up in the budget, everyone knows that and it's no secret.

"We need to make sure residents have the opportunity to raise questions so we can explain why this has happened, why we are proposing X instead of Y."

Cabinet member for children's services, Labour councillor Sarah Hill told the cabinet meeting it was important to help people understand "the impossibly difficult situation" the council faced with its budget.

Cabinet members also received a financial report covering the latest quarter year period ending in September.

Challenges include a rapidly rising number of children in care, the cost of living crisis and historically low levels of reserves.

Ms Hill said other local authorities elsewhere in the country were also facing financial difficulties.

"Everyone is experiencing the same thing - it's not that we're out of kilter," she said.

"We need to recognise that this is a national problem, not just a local problem."

Budget plans are due to be presented to a full council meeting in February.

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