Ipswich Borough Council Announces Proposed Budget Delivery Plan to tackle Financial Challenges

Ipswich Borough Council unveiled its proposed Budget Delivery Plan, designed to address the significant financial pressures that UK local authorities are facing. These challenges are driven by a combination of reduced funding by the previous government, the long-term impacts of the COVID pandemic, economic shocks such as the conflict in Ukraine, and the continued impact of inflation.

This proposed Budget Delivery Plan is the Council’s proactive strategy to address the projected £23 million shortfall over the next four years. The plan is designed to ensure the continued delivery of essential services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. It includes a comprehensive package of savings measures expected to contribute up to £16 million to the General Fund and up to £4 million to the Housing Revenue Account.

Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader, says:

“While we face difficult decisions, our priority remains to protect essential frontline services wherever possible. The Council has a strong track record of delivering savings and its vital that we continue to do so – no matter how hard the decisions are.”

The proposed measures to close the budget gap fall into five key categories:

1. Removing Subsidy and Introducing Charging: The Council will ensure it achieves full cost recovery for services such as planning, building control, and public protection as well as introducing charges for garden waste collections.
2. Income Generation: To safeguard the quality of essential services, the Council will increase charges for sports and leisure activities, implement new charges for exhibitions at the Wolsey Art Gallery, and seek sponsorships to support various community facilities and events.
3. Changes to the Availability of Some Discretionary Services: The Council will make necessary adjustments to service availability, such as reduced opening hours at Crown Pools, Fore Street Baths, Christchurch Mansion, and the Town Hall. These changes are designed to balance service accessibility with financial sustainability.
4. Changes to the Way Some Services Are Delivered: To improve efficiency, the Council will partner with specialised providers for certain services, waste enforcement and stray dog handling. Other services will be streamlined to ensure they are delivered effectively and sustainably.
5. Administrative Savings: The Council will implement strategic administrative savings, including reducing contributions to the Suffolk Pension Fund, reviewing the Capital Programme, and optimising back-office operations. These steps are essential for maintaining financial stability while continuing to serve the community.

These proposals are necessary to ensure that the council continues to be able to deliver essential services, in the face of financial challenges.

Councillor Martin Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Resources, says:

“We are committed to taking steps to secure a sustainable financial future for Ipswich while being transparent and accountable throughout this process. We will continue to do our very best to meet residents needs during this difficult period.”