Minutes

Last year’s budgetary discussions caused significant distress to many families when it was proposed that the money available for children’s services was to be cut dramatically, potentially leaving many families without much needed care. As we are now entering the time of year when budgetary discussions begin for the forthcoming financial year, can the leader reassure the city’s residents that she will do everything in her power to ringfence children’s social services spending and spare the families from having to endure this stress and despair again?

Setting the Council’s budget is a complex task with a multitude of issues to take into consideration. The budget challenges that we and all other Councils across the UK are experiencing are very significant with huge increases in demand and cost increases still persisting.  At this point of the budget development process, it is not possible to confirm any specific details, but I can confirm that my administration has always and will continue to do our very best to support the most vulnerable residents in our city.