Council asks public for views on potential savings

A public consultation has been launched asking people to give ideas about how Shropshire Council could make savings in 2025/26.

The authority said although savings had been made from all parts of its budget, further reductions were still needed.

Proposals include raising council tax by 4.99%, which the council said was equivalent to about £1.65 more a week for the average Band D home.

The consultation will run until 26 January 2025, and will help shape the final budget proposals to be voted on by full council in February.

Currently, Shropshire Council needs to save £62.5m in 2024/25, which is equivalent to £191 per resident.

However, it said it would be unclear how far cuts need to go in the next financial year, until the local government financial settlement was received from the government later this month.

Other proposed changes that have been discussed by all party group leaders on the council, include collecting non-recyclable rubbish every three weeks, investing in energy-efficient street lighting, and reducing the days that the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery is open.

The authority said it is estimated the full list of proposals within the consultation would save approximately £8.5m.

However, it added that if the settlement moved funding away from rural authorities, additional multi-million savings may be needed.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the political groups on the council said the authority had been left with "little choice" in putting forward the savings suggestions.

"Whatever the government's financial settlement later in December is, we are sure that with the ever-growing need for social care and rising costs for services that council tax increases will not cover, more difficult decisions are ahead," it said.

"So please tell us what you think about our approach and these ideas to make more savings."

Savings made already include charging to collect garden waste, reducing council staff levels, and making changes to CCTV monitoring.

The local authority has pinpointed a rise in the demand for services for its financial hardship, with an increasing number of people needing social care - which accounts for almost 80% of its budget.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.