Council bosses in Trafford have written to the government calling for fairer funding after revealing the borough is missing out on millions of pounds. The local authority is one of the lowest-funded councils in the country and is having to plug a budget gap of more than £25m next year.
The council has delivered more than £263m of savings and income generation since 2010 but Council leader Andrew Western said it was time the borough was funded fairly. He said: “Trafford Council receives less money from the government because it uses a formula which is outdated, and means we are losing out on millions of pounds every year.
“If the government made sure all councils were given a minimum of 90 per cent of what the average council gets, we would receive an extra £5.7m. However, we are being penalised for keeping our council tax lower and being a financially responsible Council. We aren’t asking for any special treatment or favours – we just want fair funding so that we can better serve our residents.”
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The council has joined the F20 Group – a cross-party group of the lowest funded councils across the country which includes Bury and Stockport, who are joining forces to call for a £300m temporary fix to level up local government finance.
Coun Western, who has written to the Secretary of State, Michael Gove, is also seeking a pause on social care reforms that would add extra costs to Council finances. His plea was backed by Coun Tom Ross, Trafford council’s executive member for finance and governance.
Coun Ross said: “The cost of living crisis is seeing more and more people require council assistance. Increases in inflation means are own costs are rising too. Having to find yet more money to fund social care reforms will hit us and other councils hard.”
“Above all, we want to support our residents and communities. Unless we get fairer funding, we will be having to do that with one arm tied behind our back. Then, it will be the most vulnerable people – those in poor health or in poverty – who will be hit the hardest.”
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