Member Article

Darlington Council outlines budget proposal in face of £43.6m funding drop

Darlington Borough Council has published its budget proposals for the next four years, which will be considered by members of the Council’s Cabinet at a meeting next week.

“The proposals do not make for easy reading”, according to Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council.

The council is facing an overall drop in funding of £43.6m, over the period 2010 to 2020, due to significant public sector cuts introduced by the government.

Austerity measures, coupled with an £11m funding reduction from the government means that Darlington Council’s total budget for 2019/20 is down to £87.4m.

Cllr Dixon explained: “This will only just cover the costs of complying with the approximate 1,300 duties we’re required to meet by law, the biggest being in relation to social care which costs £54m.

“We’ve therefore had to make some tough decisions and are using all or reserves to give us £2.5m a year over the next four years – our Future’s Fund - for services we don’t have to provide, which currently cost £12.5m.

“We’ve had to choose which we can continue to fund – those that add great value to Darlington and its residents and that we think are most valued by our residents. This means we have retained the Dolphin Centre, a library service and aspects of the Borough’s heritage, alongside essential services that protect the most vulnerable in or society.”

“Most people in the Borough do not use many of our services but I know they care deeply about those services they do use, and in some cases rely on. It has been a juggling act, but there are certain services that we have to provide by law and we’ve tried to ensure a ‘core offer’ that has value for the majority of residents.”

Cllr Dixon added: “Darlington’s biggest asset has always been its people and as we see services we have relied on being steadily cut, now is the time for us all to step up and think what we can do for our community, however large or small. By working together and helping each other, Darlington can continue to be a great place to live, work and visit.”

The proposals will go before Cabinet to agree launch of public consultation at its meeting on Thursday, 11 February which will be held in Dolphin Centre (Central Hall), at 5pm.