Council bids to tackle predicted £8.4m overspend

A spokesperson said: "It’s no secret that it’s a challenging time for public finances in the UK. The Local Government Association estimates that councils’ core spending power fell by 23 per cent in real terms from 2010/11 to 2024/25. 
"In Swindon, the council has made savings of more than £200m since 2010, while the amount of money the council receives from Central Government has reduced from 29 per cent of its overall budget in 2010/11 to just three per cent in this current financial year."

More than 80 per cent of the local authority's day-to-day budget is spent on providing social care support to adults and children, and the council reports that the costs and demand continue to grow. 

At its recent meeting, the council’s Cabinet reviewed a report on the 2024/25 budget position, with an £8.4m overspend currently forecasted. 

The spokesperson added: "We continue to do everything we can to try to balance the budget, with robust spending controls in place, but the report notes that it remains an 'extremely challenging' financial position.

"A further budget update will be tabled at the next Cabinet meeting on 11 December, along with proposals to set the budget in 2025/26."

A recording of the most recent Cabinet meeting can be viewed here.

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