Slough Council Confronts “Radical Action” to Achieve £28 Million Budget Savings

A local authority is confronted with budget reductions described as being of an “unprecedented magnitude” following its announcement of a requirement to save over £28 million. Slough Borough Council’s cabinet has stated that “radical action” is necessary, a declaration made after the release of a report detailing a draft budget. Among the potential measures disclosed by the authority are a £60,000 cut to library services and the generation of £100,000 through parking control and the enforcement of new speed limits. The budget document, which was made public on Monday, confirms that the council has identified £10.78 million in savings to date, but an additional £17.35 million must be secured prior to January. The report indicates that because Slough is “one of the smallest unitary councils in England,” it receives insufficient funding to operate without implementing “radical action.” The council’s cabinet is scheduled to approve £10 million in budget cuts and savings for the 2025/26 fiscal year during a meeting slated for Monday, November 18. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has requested further details regarding all the proposed initiatives. The draft budget projects funding levels predicated on an anticipated council tax increase of up to 4.99%, a percentage lower than those of the preceding two years. Government-appointed commissioners, tasked with overseeing the authority following its effective bankruptcy in 2021, have stated that additional cuts would be “essential” for the council to “live within its means.” Despite these efforts, the draft budget still indicates a £17 million deficit compared to the council’s projected expenditures for the upcoming year. The commissioners noted that the deficit within the current draft budget would necessitate increased borrowing and a reliance on diminishing reserve funds, which are typically allocated for unforeseen expenses. The commissioners commented: “There remains a significant challenge ahead. The council’s projected budget deficit remains substantial, assumes additional borrowing and the level of usable reserves available as a cushion is reducing.” A further series of cuts is anticipated to be presented to council leaders in January 2025, with the ultimate budget scheduled for a vote in February. For updates, BBC Berkshire can be followed on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.