Member Article

Gateshead Council begin public consultation to plug £46 million funding gap

Next week, Gateshead Council’s Cabinet will be asked to begin public consultation on a range of proposals outlined to plug the £46million funding gap over the next two years, which could see major changes to services for its residents.

The Council continues to face unprecedented financial challenges with significant cuts in government funding, combined with increasing spending costs, particularly in relation to social care.

Leader of Gateshead Council, Mick Henry, said, “We continue to face some of the toughest financial challenges in our history.

“We’ve already reduced our spending by £90.6 million since 2010; but, because of further cuts in government funding, if we continue to provide services in the same way as we do now, we’ll have a shortfall of around £46million by 2017.

“As the Government is determined to cut our funding for vital public services further, the Council needs to make choices about the services it offers to its residents, including how they are provided.

“The proposals have been developed so that we can protect the most vulnerable adults and children in our communities. It’s a fine balancing act as we have so many competing priorities, and it’s getting harder and harder to continue to protect those services that people want and need.

“We know that many of the proposals will result in some significant changes to services that people hold dear, but we need to start making those decisions now as the money simply isn’t there to continue to provide them in the same way in the future.

“Over the last four years, we’ve reduced our workforce by 1700 people and now have £300 per resident per year less to spend.

“This has a major effect on the services we can deliver. We know that residents are beginning to see a difference in their communities and with the level of cuts that we continue to face, this is likely to continue.

“Although we know there are difficult times ahead, we continue to look forward and have high aspirations for Gateshead.

“By having long-term ambitions, but also focusing on what needs to be delivered now, we are concentrating on meeting the needs of our residents both today and in the future.”

If Cabinet agrees, consultation with residents, businesses and partners will begin on 4 November and run until 30 December 2014.

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