 Have your say as we prepare to share our budget for 2024/25
A consultation on our budget for the next financial year, 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, is now open. We want to hear your views which will help shape our decisions around Council Tax increases and priorities for the future.
The position
The Council’s finances continue to be under pressure. We are grappling with the impacts of high inflation and a volatile economic climate while working to support Manchester residents and deliver the services you rely on.
This follows more than a decade of cuts in our central government funding, with Manchester being one of the hardest hit places in the country. We have had to make £443 million of savings since 2010 to cope with Government cuts and unfunded budget pressures such as inflation and providing services to a growing population.
We should still, unlike some councils, be in a position to set a balanced budget for 2024/25. This has only been possible through long-term financial planning which has involved taking some difficult decisions, including £36.2m of savings agreed for 2024-26 and the use of £50m of our reserves in the same period. Reserves can only be used once and their depletion reduces our ability to deal with future ‘rainy days.’
Making the most of what we’ve got
Despite these challenges we are delivering on what you have told us are your priorities. This includes overseeing the creation of 10,000 affordable homes over a decade; addressing homelessness; promoting a healthier and happier city, tackling inequalities and creating vibrant neighbourhoods where people want to live – all while leading the drive towards becoming a net zero carbon city by 2038 or earlier.
We’re also still focused on the basics – from cleaning your streets and emptying your bins to maintaining your parks and roads.
We know times are hard for many people across the city, and the country as a whole, and will continue to provide targeted support for those who need it most as well as the services that everybody relies on.
Council Tax
When we approved the Council budget for 2023/24 we also set a balanced budget for 2024/25. These calculations assumed the same increase in Council Tax in both years – 2.99% increase on general Council Tax plus a 2% per cent precept specifically to help meet adult social care costs – so 4.99% in total.
Each 1% increase brings in around £2.2 million. If Council Tax did not go up by this amount it would hamper our ability to fund essential services which support Manchester people, especially those who are struggling the most. Manchester people on the lowest incomes get help through our Council Tax Support scheme and will only have to pay a small fraction of the bill.
Have your say
We are keen to hear from you. To find out more, and give your views, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/budget. The consultation closes on 27 December.
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