Approximately 90 people from Liverpool’s non-profit sector attended a meeting at Liverpool Town Hall on 20 October 2011. The purpose of the meeting was to begin the consultation about the Liverpool City Council budget 2012/13. Many non-profit organisations are supported directly or indirectly by grants or contracts provided by the City Council so it is important to the sector to understand the issues and constraints next year's budget will have.
The meeting was also an opportunity for members of the sector to raise issues and ask question of the Council Leader Joe Anderson, Deputy Council Leader Paul Brant and Ged Fitzgerald, the City Treasurer.
The slide presentation of the meeting is available to download on this page. You can also post comment on the LCVS Forum or directly to budget@liverpool.gov.uk.
The main facts are:
- Liverpool City Council is to be one of the hardest cut councils in England. The council was heavily cut in this year’s budget by £91 million, and also lost Area Based Grant that provided funding to may non-profit initiatives and projects.
- In 2012/13, the Council has to reduce its budget by a further £50 million. The years following the cuts are estimated as the government is reviewing council finances. However, in total, the amount of estimated saving the council has to find in 2012-15 is £101.8 million.
- Joe Anderson said that the council has to decide on priorities and then decide from those what the most important priorities are. Priority one details mainly statutory provision and services, such as to children and young people housing and adult services and health.
- Proposed savings options indicate how the council hopes to make savings.
- A time table will give details for the budget and committee stages.
Earlier this year, the council started consulting on the budget. They will look and prepare options which will be available soon. A further round of stakeholder meetings will be held in January 2012.