Cardiff Council needs £24 million to balance the books

Cardiff Council will have to find £24 million to balance the books next year.

The figure was revealed in the authority’s Budget Strategy Report 2018/19 which will go to cabinet for approval on Thursday 27 July.

The report also reveals that the council expects to have to bridge a gap of £74 million over the next three years.

The council’s total budget stands at £587 million, but £378 million of this is currently spent on schools and social services. Both areas are facing rising demand pressures as the population in Cardiff grows.

According to the council, four things can be done to address the budget gap, including: increasing council tax; using reserves; capping schools budget growth; and making savings.

Cardiff Council has had to make £200 million of savings in the past 10 years, with £105 million in the past three years alone.

Residents will be able to have their say on the proposals by responding to a survey over the Summer.

Chris Weaver, cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, said: “There's no getting away from it, bridging this budget gap will be very challenging indeed, especially in light of the savings the Council has made over the past few years.

“There are no easy options. This Council has done a remarkable job of protecting residents from the full force of the cuts over the past few years but each year it gets harder and harder.

"We need to continue to modernise the way we work to ensure we deliver the best possible service we can for taxpayers, but we also need to be upfront with residents. There are some services which may have to go or will only be saved through partnership working with residents or other organisations, or finding new ways to cover costs. Austerity has not ended despite what you may have heard on the news, and we face tough times ahead."