WARRINGTON Borough Council’s budget consultation is now well underway in a bid to identify £12 million of savings next year which come on top of the £32 million worth of savings already made in the borough since 2010.
The government has confirmed that the borough’s funding will be reduced by 5.6 per cent in 2013/14 – which is in 
stark contrast to the 1.6 per cent average reduction across England and 3.1 per cent experienced by many other unitary authorities.
Warrington is the fifth lowest funded of the 124 metropolitan and unitary authorities in England receiving £1739 per household compared to Liverpool’s £2623 per household. It also has one of the lowest levels of council tax.
Cllr Russ Bowden (pictured), the council’s executive member for corporate resources and assignments said: “Once again Warrington will be disproportionately affected by central cuts to grants.
“The times ahead are going to be tough, but we remain committed to doing all we can to ensure that the most vulnerable in Warrington continue to be protected, that we deliver our essential services effectively and that we encourage economic growth and investment in the borough.”
“We will be doing everything that we can to make as much of the necessary savings as possible through stamping out inefficiencies, reorganising services, using our buying power to secure better deals and by generating more income for the council. However, the stark truth is we have done much of this already.”
The consultation will run until Friday (January 11) so there is still time for residents of Warrington, businesses, users of the council services, partners and other groups to share their thoughts and views via [email protected]
Copies of the budget book can also be picked up in council buildings and returned to: Budget Consultation 2013/14, Freepost RRUL – UHSE – LABG, Warrington Borough Council, Lower Ground floor, New Town House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NH.
Council warns of tough times
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
