Council leaders in Bury are urgently calling for a review of government funding as they face mounting financial challenges. They stress the need for a fairer deal to cope with rising costs and increased demand for services. A recent report revealed that the council is under £11 million in cost pressures since 2022.
More than 1,300 residents have signed a petition demanding better funding for the council, which is currently one of the most poorly funded in the country. Bury must find £40 million in savings over the next three years, with £25 million needed in the first year alone.
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, expressed concerns about the impact of austerity measures over the past 14 years, which have significantly reduced resources. He highlighted the growing demand for services like adult social care and support for children with special needs, stressing the importance of maintaining these crucial services.
The council is proposing to use reserves and savings to address the financial shortfall, with plans to increase Council Tax by 2.99% for general services and an additional 2% for adult social care. However, Councillor Richard Gold raised concerns about the increasing reliance on local tax revenue to fund essential services, as core funding from the government has decreased significantly since 2010/11.
Bury Council has been identified as one of the worst-funded councils in terms of spending per resident, highlighting the need for a more sustainable funding policy for local government. Councillor Gold emphasised the importance of long-term planning to ensure the council’s financial stability in the future.
To support the campaign for fairer funding, residents can sign the Let’s Fix It Together petition on the Bury Council website.
