Telford & Wrekin Council says it’s preparing itself for a further five years of extreme financial difficulties as the Government’s austerity programme continues.

The Council last year outstripped its own budget savings target despite continuing cuts in Government grant.

In 2014/15 the Council made £17 million of savings, after reducing its budget by £53 million over the previous five years. In the next three years, it expects to have to make at least another £35 million of ongoing savings on top of the £70 million already made.

The new Government has already announced an extra in year cut in public health funding estimated to be around £750,000 although the government have yet to inform the council exactly how much money will be taken away despite the Council already having entered into commitments for the current year. Further new cuts are expected as part of the Chancellor’s budget statement next month.

Cllr Lee Carter, cabinet member for finance, said: “The Council has continued its strong financial management despite the most difficult circumstances.

“It allows us to offer some short-term protection from deeper cuts in adult social care and children in care as well as investing in some one-off priorities, particularly focussing on improving the borough’s environment and building on our success in tackling youth unemployment.

“This puts us in a better position than many other councils for the very tough times that lie ahead. The depth and scale of expected further Government cuts can only mean much deeper cuts to services over the next three years. It is inevitable that tough choices lie ahead and we will want to consult with the community later this year as further options for the necessary cuts are developed.”