Trafford Council has revealed plans to increase council tax by 1.99 per cent alongside a 2% increase for the adult social care precept.

The authority will discuss the plans at the Budget meeting next Wednesday night and they include significant levels of new investment in our social care services and other infrastructure.

The Council has had to close a budget gap of £18.5m, which is significantly higher than last year. This has been done through extra income generation, additional funding and savings. As a result, there will be no cuts to front line services or the loss of jobs.

The budget proposals for 2020/21 aim to help the Council achieve its vision of building the best future for all our communities and everyone in Trafford.

They will be discussed at a full meeting of the Council on Wednesday 19 February and see a planned revenue expenditure of £175.20m to support its strategic priorities. These include improving the health and wellbeing of residents, and making sure children and young people in the borough have a fair start in life.

It also includes allocating £15.4m more for demand-led services for children and adults and £5.1m for targeted support for some of our most vulnerable residents. Spending on major highways and other key infrastructure improvements will be £14.9m and a further £4.8m on cycling and walking schemes.

The plans include significant invest-to-save measures in our Children’s Services which are expected to increase the quality of the services, lead to reduced demand in later years, and net budget savings.

Despite the increase, the overall level of Council Tax will still remain one of the lowest in Greater Manchester.

The budget outlines capital expenditure plans for 2020/21 includes:-

  • Investment in school buildings of £15.0m
  • Outdoor sports, improvements to green spaces and tree planting £1.2m
  • Public realm works in our town centres £4.3m
  • Town centre and business loans £0.3m

Cllr Andrew Western, Leader of the Council and Green City Region Lead for Greater Manchester, said: “We continue to operate in very challenging financial circumstances, like other councils, and we are committed to improving the quality of our services and to meeting the changing needs of our residents and businesses.

“It’s vitally important that we protect vulnerable people while also making Trafford a better place, where everyone has a chance to succeed and has a voice so I am delighted that we have produced a budget that protects our front line services. For a second consecutive year, we can announce that there are no planned job losses or services to be scrapped in Trafford.

“Despite the proposed increase, our council tax will remain one of the lowest in the North West. We believe this is necessary to ensure our borough continues to boast thriving communities, with people starting well, living well and ageing well.

“Our vision is about working together to build the best future for all our communities and everyone in Trafford and this budget will enable us to do that.”