News / Politics
Marvin Rees reveals state of city finances
Marvin Rees’ new administration has warned of “tough choices” and “unpalatable options” as it revealed cuts of £100 million needed over the next four years.
The warnings came in an update on public finances issued by the new mayor on Thursday following a promise made during his inauguration speech a month ago.
Bristol City Council must make savings of around £44m by April 2017, before facing down another £60m budget gap for the years 2017 – 2020.
is needed now More than ever
The savings needed are roughly in line with what was projected in a financial plan set out by the previous mayor George Ferguson. However, a further £8 million may need to be cut due to “cost pressure” from social care.
Some saving plans set in 2014 are already underway and progress reports have been ordered by the new administration.
The new mayor said he intends to tackle the remaining shortfall by drawing on the expertise of all of the city’s main institutions through his City Office idea, which he launched on Bristol24/7.
He also plans to give citizens a go at balancing the books by create an online tool which will let people simulate the council’s budget decisions and show where they would invest or save money.
However, the mayor and his new finance chief both warned that difficult choices about services will have to be made.
Rees said the council had already made saving to deal with the “much-maligned” austerity measures of the government.
He added: “There is little fat left to trim leaving us facing unpalatable options.”
He said his City Office would not be a “magic wand”, adding: “It is one way of contributing towards savings, protecting the most vulnerable and building a strong foundation for the city’s future. But it won’t give us all the answers.”
Craig Cheney, cabinet member for finance, added: “Our aim will be to protect services as much as possible, but it is clear that we cannot save enough money in the long term without making tough choices.
“Our current focus is on this year, but we are mindful of the projected £60m budget gap over the next three years created by a mixture of government cuts and increasing demands for our services. Put together we have the galling task of saving over £100m in four years. “
The mayor and his team will now begin work on its budget which will be put to public consultation before being voted on by councillors in February 2017.
Top photo by Doug Jewell
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