Stockport Labour Group has highlighted the huge impact planned cuts to the Council will have on frontline services after the Liberal Democrat Executive proposed their budget for 2015-16.
The Lib Dems are proposing to cut £17.3 million of spending in 2015-16, with a cumulative reduction of £38.6m by March 2017. By that point, cuts to Stockport Council-run services will have been an eye-watering £93.3 million over 6 years.
Ahead of the Budget Council meeting on 26th February, Labour Group Leader Councillor Alex Ganotis said ‘These cuts aren’t just an accounting exercise; they affect the lives of every resident in Stockport. Whether they use local parks, leisure facilities, museums or try to phone the Council’s contact centre for advice or guidance local people will have seen the impact.
‘The next 2 years threaten to see Adult Social Care become unrecognisable and support for children and their families in Stockport take a massive hit.
‘The reform to Council services suggested by the Executive for the next 2 years is too little too late. These are unnecessary risks which the Council needn’t have been taking had the Lib Dems been more proactive over the last 4 years.’
Since April 2011, 956 people have lost their jobs with Stockport Council, almost 25% of the total workforce.
The £39 million cuts proposed over the next 2 years will include £20 million to Health and Social Care, £5 million to Children’s Services, and £4.1 million under a ‘locality operating model’ which will reduce Council spending on parks, libraries, street cleaning, and community safety.