Bury Council sets budget to protect services amid ongoing financial pressures

Bury Council has approved its budget for the year 2026 to 2027, setting out plans to safeguard key public services while managing a reduced but still significant funding shortfall.

Councillors meeting last night agreed measures to close a forecast gap that had initially stood at 14 million pounds for the coming financial year. That projected deficit has now been reduced to 3.9 million pounds following a better than expected settlement from the government and the allocation of several one off grants.

The authority said it received an additional 5 million pounds in government funding compared with earlier forecasts. To bridge the remaining gap, the council has identified savings across a range of areas, including commissioning and contract management, changes to statutory care provision, increases in fees and charges, and staffing efficiencies. Reserves will also be used to balance the budget.

Council Tax will rise by 2.99 per cent for general services, alongside a further 2 per cent specifically for adult social care. Council house rents will increase by an average of 4.8 per cent, in line with government rules that allow rises of inflation plus 1 per cent.

Councillor Sean Thorpe, cabinet member for finance at Bury Council, said the authority continued to face sustained demand and cost pressures.

He said, “Every year we face a tremendous challenge to set a balanced budget while still providing the vital public services that people want and need.

“We received an extra £5 million from the government this year, which, with the addition of other external grants, means our financial position is not as bad as we originally feared.

“However, the underlying problem has not gone away. We are having to cope with ever increasing demand for services – particularly in social care but also seeing rising costs way above inflation.

“We can’t continually rely on the use of reserves. Without further action, the gap between our income and expenditure could rise to £21 million by 2028/29, and our reserves gone.

“It’s not a problem unique to Bury. Like councils across the land, we face increasing costs and inflation and rising demand, particularly for services for the most vulnerable.

“But we are determined to do everything we can to protect those who need our services the most, and without having to take the drastic measures proposed by some other councils. Many of the proposals contained in the budget will generate savings but crucially will also result in more positive outcomes for residents.

”It’s why we are investing in the transformation of our services, so they are more efficient and effective.

“Despite the financial challenges we face in meeting day-to-day needs, the results of our long-term investment are becoming clear for all to see. We have vibrant investment in regeneration taking place in Bury, Radcliffe and Prestwich, and plans for other parts of our borough. And on our border, the huge Atom Valley development promises to create thousands of jobs for local people.

“At last night’s full meeting of the council we also agreed a small budget amendment proposed by the Together for Bury party. This is for a £50,000 investment in a pilot scheme to encourage participation from those residents in wards not directly in the scope of regeneration or town plan initiatives of the borough. It invites proposals from residents and community groups about prioritising improvements in their areas.

“Times are tough, but there are many reasons to be optimistic too. By working together, with our residents and our many partners, we can all bring about the Bury we all want and hope for.”

A 50,000 pound pilot scheme proposed by the Together for Bury party was approved as part of the budget. The funding is intended to support community led improvement proposals in areas not currently covered by regeneration or town centre initiatives.

Councillor Russell Bernstein, leader of Together for Bury, welcomed the amendment being passed.

He said, “I am very proud that at the Bury Council Budget meeting the Together for Bury budget amendment was passed. This is the first time in recent Council history that such an occurrence has taken place. This once again delivers on the promise we made when we were established, to work collaboratively wherever possible for the benefit of all residents in the Borough.

“The essence of our amendment which is to encourage resident participation in those areas of the Borough that have to date not had the opportunity for regeneration or Town Centre improvements.

“It is not surprising to me that our amendment was not supported by the other opposition parties in the council. It is ironically those who prefer to let communities down unless it is their idea and they can claim credit on an election leaflet.

“Furthermore, it is utterly bewildering for the official opposition Radcliffe First, to be incapable of articulating their financial vision for the Borough and goes to confirm the are clearly out of their depth in the Boroughwide role that they now hold.

“In supporting the Council budget for this forthcoming financial year, it is positive that Bury has received a better settlement than expected from Government and that there is clarity for the next 3 years.

“This is something that I welcome as I called for a Fair Funding review by the previous Conservative government back in 2023.

“What now is of paramount importance is that the budget set at Council is now delivered and work begins to respond to the enormous challenge that we will be facing to set a budget for 2027/28. Together for Bury will play our part constructively in what will be a challenging period.”