The Liverpool City Council has recently approved a budget for 2024/25 that aims to improve and transform vital frontline services with a £20m investment. The budget intends to improve adult social services, children in care, and tackle homelessness, while also investing in environmental programs. The Council has also increased its budgets for demand-led services to meet the continuing impact of high inflation and the cost of living crisis by a further £24m in 2024/25.
The Council aims to continue supporting the most vulnerable in the city’s communities by delivering better financial management, including improved collection of payments and maximizing the use of new legislation. To support the new investments, the Council has put aside 6% of its next expenditure budget in reserve, equating to £37m, which provides financial resilience in case of emergency spending.
Key elements of the additional funding include £7.8m to support transformation activities and support the delivery of Council services, £3.5m for Children’s Services, and £1.7m for street cleansing over the next two financial years. Additionally, £1.5m will be invested in neighborhood enforcement programs over the same period, and another £1m per year will be invested from 2025/26 to support homelessness services.
The Council has projected savings of £85m by 2025/26, with a significant amount relating to improvements in adult and children’s social care. Furthermore, a further £18m will have been generated by 2025/26, thanks to increased income collection rates resulting from improving online payment processes and streamlining systems.
Council tax will increase by 4.99%, in line with most other local authorities in England, and business rates will also rise, which is projected to generate £200m for the Council in this financial year. Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, emphasized that despite the financial challenges that local governments are facing, Liverpool City Council is proud to deliver a budget that protects essential services and invests in the services that people value the most. The Council aims to become an efficient organization that delivers quality services, reflecting its prudent financial stewardship
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