Wolverhampton Council Considers Service Reductions for £30m Savings

A significant review of Wolverhampton council services is currently in progress, with waste collection, swimming pools, and the future of the wholesale market all likely to be impacted as the authority seeks to save over £30 million. In an update regarding the draft budget for 2025-2026, the council has announced a series of proposed reductions across numerous sectors. Reviews of adult care services could generate £2.6 million in savings, frontline services for waste, recycling, and street cleaning £6.9 million, and the current provision of swimming pools £670,000. The council stated that further consultation will occur before any final decisions are made. Under the current proposals, the authority is examining the cessation of funding for the wholesale market, which costs £272,000 annually to operate. Traders have already been informed that the council is re-evaluating plans to redevelop the area due to “significant financial challenges.” In a statement on Wednesday, the council told BBC News that discussions had been held with traders and, should the decision be approved, “we will continue to support them in their efforts to find alternative accommodation for their private businesses”. A review into waste collection may result in a decrease in services and staff numbers, an increase in charges, and a reduction in the delivery of essential day-to-day services. Customer services, registrars, and archive services will be examined “to deliver efficiency savings and also review opening hours” in an effort to save £3.1 million, it was reported. Maximizing the use of technology and AI within support services could save £3.5 million, and a review of children’s services and education, focusing on essential day-to-day services, could also save £763,000, the council indicated. Within public health and wellbeing, the authority stated it will assess its provision of community assets with the aim of reducing the total number while integrating and utilizing the same buildings where feasible to save £1 million. Leisure centers, particularly swimming pools, are among the most expensive facilities to operate, the council noted, and it will now review its current provision, “in particular reviewing buildings no longer fit for purpose.” Closing a Shopmobility unit in the city centre is projected to save £29,000, given its low usage of only 13 regular customers per week and reliance on old equipment. A review of how the council commissions temporary accommodation will be conducted to save £300,000, and a consultation on whether to introduce transport charges for 16-year-old SEN students will also take place. Further details of these proposals are scheduled for discussion at a cabinet meeting next Wednesday.