Views sought on Gateshead budget proposals - Gateshead Council

We have initiated the process of seeking feedback on the budget for 2024/25 and are inviting our community members to express their opinions.

In our recent financial plan called Medium Term Financial Strategy, we have discovered that in the next five years, there will be a shortage of £49.5m in funds. If the government doesn't provide additional financial support, the council will have to remove £49.5m from our budget, despite already making £191m worth of reductions. In the year 2024/25, we will face a shortfall of £27.1m when comparing the funding potentially offered and the actual expenses incurred in providing services.

We will be asking for feedback on our proposals from individuals living in the area, employees, companies, and affiliations until January 15, 2024.

The suggestions for the budget involve a mix of streamlining and lowering expenses, generating revenue, and presenting ideas on how Council services can collaborate with partners from different industries to achieve the desired results for the citizens of Gateshead.

Gateshead Council's Leader, Councillor Martin Gannon, stated that the council is facing economic uncertainty and financial instability. This is due to unsustainable funding for local government, and it presents difficulties for the council's long-term planning. Coupled with 13 years of austerity, which led to disproportionate funding cuts, delayed funding reform, rising demand for social care, and higher inflation, the council faces tough decisions. Despite this, Gateshead Council is sparing no efforts to reduce the impact of these challenges for its residents.

Over the past 13 years, we have been forced to make considerable budget cuts due to financial constraints. To be precise, we have had to reduce our budget by a staggering £191.66 million since 2010, which makes up a significant 68% of our current Net Revenue Budget of £281.885 million. As a result, we now have £977 less money for every resident under our care. And, unfortunately, we anticipate that this will decrease even further in the next five years, dwindling down to just £1,229 per resident.

We value the opinions of our nearby communities, and thus, I kindly request individuals to spare some time and offer us their perspectives.

From now until Monday 15 January, residents can share their opinions on the suggestions by visiting the Council's website www.gateshead.gov.uk/budget or by sending an email to [email protected].

After taking into account the opinions expressed in the public consultation, the Cabinet will suggest the budget to the Council on Tuesday the 20th of February. The Council will then review and discuss the proposed budget on the 22nd of February 2024.

We've initiated the process of seeking opinions from residents for the 2024/25 budget consultation. We're welcoming the input of the community to help shape our plans.

According to our recent financial plan, we're anticipating a shortfall of £49.5m over the next five years. Unless the government agrees to provide additional funding, we'll have to reduce our budget by that amount despite already trimming £191m in expenses. On top of that, in the year 2024/25, we're expecting a shortfall of £27.1m for covering the costs of delivering services due to insufficient funding.

During our consultation process, we will be gathering opinions from locals, employees, corporations, and affiliated groups regarding the suggested plans. This will continue until January 15th, 2024.

The plan for the budget comprises of a mix of cost-saving measures and enhanced earnings, suggestions on how Gateshead's Council services can collaborate with partners in various sectors to deliver suitable solutions for the locals.

The head of Gateshead Council, Councillor Martin Gannon, has expressed concern over the ongoing financial and economic uncertainty that the council faces. With funding for local government being unsustainable, and austerity measures having been in place for the last 13 years, planning for the long term has become very difficult. There have also been disproportionate cuts to funding, delays in funding reform, increasing demands for social care, and high inflation. These factors have led to some tough decisions needing to be made, but the council is doing its best to minimize any negative impact on residents.

Over the past 13 years, we've been obligated to reduce our budget by £191.66 million, which is approximately 68% of our present Net Revenue Budget of £281.885 million. Consequently, each resident now has £977 less to spend, and this figure is anticipated to decrease to £1,229 in the next five years.

We highly value the opinions of the people in our community, and we kindly request that individuals take a moment to express their thoughts and perspectives with us.

From now until Monday 15th of January, individuals in the area can express their opinions on the plans, which are available on the Gateshead Council's website or through sending an email to [email protected].

After seeking input from the community, the Cabinet will suggest the budget to the Council on the 20th of February, and the entire Council will review it on the 22nd of February in 2024.