Liverpool City Council is in the process of setting its budget for 2012/13. Only 11% of the Council's total funding comes from Council Tax, 19% comes from business rates and 9% comes from other income. Some 61% comes in the form of other government grants and these have been decimated together with the highest reduction in government grant in the country.
These reductions in central government grant and other pressures meant the Council had to reduce its expenditure by £91milion in 2011/12 and are now looking at a further £50million reduction for the financial year 2012/13. This represents a 22% cut on the amount of our budget over which the council has direct control (around £400million). This will impact on virtually all the council's services and its work.
In addition to the £50 million of savings which need to be found for 2012-13, it is estimated that a further £18.5 million needs to be found in 2013-14 and £33.3 million in 2014-15. It means total savings of almost £102 million over the next three years.
Detailed budget savings options are published on the council's website at www.liverpool.gov.uk/budget . You can also download a copy on this page.
Liverpool City Council is determined to be as open and honest as possible about the process, which is why information on the savings options is released now.
Further consultation events for stakeholders and elected members will be held over the next few weeks and a further Public Question Time will take place in January before the council sets its budget for 2012/13 in March. Your views, comments and suggestions on the proposals are welcomed, as this challenge is one that the whole of the city faces, not just Liverpool City Council.
You can take part in a stakeholder briefing session on Monday 28 November, details of which will be communicated. You can also email the council via budget@liverpool.gov.uk before 10 January 2012 or you can write to Budget Views, Liverpool City Council, Chief Executive’s Office, Municipal Buildings, Liverpool, L2 2DH.