It is now calling on local residents, businesses and voluntary groups to get behind the campaign for a fairer funding deal for Bury.
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “These are hard times for councils, and Bury is no exception. We are facing a triple whammy – insufficient funding, huge increases in costs and inflation, and ever-increasing demand for services. We can no longer close the funding gap by reducing costs, making efficiencies or raising council tax. Sooner or later, something must give. The system is broken, and it’s having a major impact on the people of Bury. That’s why we have to fix it.”
Fact 1:
Bury is in the bottom 20% worst-funded councils – ranking 122 out of 150 upper-tier English local authorities in terms of money to spend per resident.
In Camden the council has £1,331 to spend on every resident – in Bury it’s just £792
Fact 2:
Our annual real term core spending power[1]has been reduced by 29% since 2010/11. During this time government funding has gone down by 55%.
Fact 3:
Government funding cuts and unfunded pressures such as inflation and increased demand have left us having to find £150m savings since 2010/11.
The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector in Bury is facing an ongoing increase in demand for its services as well as rising costs as it continues to support residents. Further cuts in council services will only magnify this issue and ultimately without fairer funding to the local authority, it is difficult to ensure fairer funding to the sector.
True change can only happen from central government. There needs to be a government review of council funding to redress the balance for Bury.
How you can help as a voluntary or local organisation
You can help by:
- Signing Bury councils petition – go to https://preview-bury.cloud.contensis.com/council-and-democracy/budget-campaign-petition
- Following @BuryCouncil on Facebook and Twitter and share and retweet their social media using #LetsFixItTogether
