Mansfield’s Mayor ‘disappointed’ by Budget support for councils

The Chancellor confirmed a 1% increase above inflation for public spending which he had pencilled in, in his Autumn Statement last year, adding that he would prioritise public spending where improvements in productivity could be demonstrated.

Mayor Andy said: “While we are pleased he has chosen to avoid squeezing public services further than is already planned, we are disappointed that this Budget is a long way short of what local authorities across the country, of all political colours, had been hoping for.

“Of course, we can always look for efficiencies to improve productivity by trying to do more on reduced spending, and this is something Mansfield District Council has been doing as part of our Medium-Term Financial Plan.

“But there comes a point when savings can only be delivered with a direct impact on the services for local people, and very often it is the most vulnerable who are hit the hardest by these measures.”

The Mayor welcomed the announced six-month extension from April to the Household Support Fund for families in England.

But he said it fell short of what food poverty charities and a cross-party group of 160 councils had been calling for which was an extension for at least a year.

The Fund allows local councils to help families via food banks, warm spaces and food and fuel vouchers. In Mansfield it has helped hundreds of families since 2022.

The Mayor said: “The problem with not adequately supporting the most vulnerable is that ultimately this risks putting even more pressure on council services.

“People who cannot afford both to buy food and pay their rent, may end up going into rent arrears which consequently puts them at risk of homelessness. It is then the council which has a statutory duty to step in and support people with that.”

The Mayor’s comments were echoed by the Chair of the Local Government Association, Cllr Shaun Davies, who said after the Budget had been delivered to the House of Commons: “It is disappointing that the Government has not today announced measures to adequately fund the local services people rely on every day.

“But given that core spending power in 2024/25 has been cut by 23.3% in real terms compared to 2010/11, it’s unsustainable to expect councils to keep doing more for less in the face of unprecedented cost and demand pressures.

“Councils need greater funding certainty through multi-year settlements to prevent ongoing decline and to ensure key national government policies – such as boosting economic growth, creating jobs and building homes – can be achieved.”

Mansfield District Council is currently facing a £2.176m budget deficit for 2024/25 and a projected continued shortfall in funds of £5m to 2026/27.

Among measures to address the deficit are a 2.99% rise in council tax and an increase in housing rents of 7.7%.

Other measures include:

• Council job cuts across discretionary services and leadership teams
• Reduced opening hours at Mansfield Museum
• Reduced operating budget for Mansfield Market
• A significant reduction in funding for events and promotional activities
• Decreases in grants to businesses and third sector.