The draft budget report for 2027/28 outlines plans to invest millions of pounds into the borough, including approximately £5m for road repairs, over £40m for children's services and schools, and £17m for leisure services. Further investment is planned for town centre improvements and affordable housing.
Despite facing significant funding issues due to increasing cost pressures and service demands, the Council's transformation programme and other savings have reduced an initial £38m shortfall to £8m. Measures include reducing the use of costly bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless residents.
In Children's Services, efforts are focused on expanding supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds, increasing fostering provision, and investing in outreach services for vulnerable children and families. For Adults' Services, transformation work has redesigned service access, increased community-based support, and implemented assistive technology to promote independent living and reduce costs.
The Council is also enhancing digital services for resident convenience and implementing new technologies, such as Microsoft Copilot, to improve efficiency. These savings are partly supported by a £7.5m grant from central government, secured after intensive lobbying by the Council.
The report highlights the Council's ongoing lobbying strategy to ensure government and policymakers understand Trafford's financial position and funding challenges. It emphasises the significant financial pressures on local government and Trafford's status as one of the lowest-funded metropolitan authorities, despite rising service demands.
The Council anticipates a 4.99% Council Tax rise, which would still result in Trafford residents paying the second-lowest amount in Greater Manchester. Last year's government settlement left Trafford with a £60m budget deficit over three years, contributing to a total shortfall of £430m in recent years.
“"Although our finances remain under pressure we are committed to protecting jobs and frontline services and there are no plans for compulsory redundancies among staff. We will continue investing millions of pounds on repairing roads, and on our children’s services and schools and on our leisure services, while also improving our town centres, building affordable home and providing services to vulnerable adults. In recent years, our strong financial management has reduced costs, successfully secured additional funding and balanced the books."
“"We continue to deal with a structural deficit in our budget and we will continue our lobbying of the Government to help Trafford get a better deal in the future."
The draft budget is scheduled for discussion at the next meeting of the Council Executive on Monday 19 October.
