Southwark funding crisis: council asks residents which services matter to them most

Southwark Council is asking residents what they want to see protected from potentially wide-ranging cuts aimed at saving £102m.

The council needs to make the savings over the next three years, which it says have been driven by cuts to its government funding, rising demand in social care and temporary accommodation costs caused by the housing crisis.

The council leader told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the council will have “an honest conversation” with residents about the stark choices facing them.

The council officially launched its budget campaign in Westminster on 8 October, demanding the government “reverse the funding cuts” and support residents of the borough.

Using the council’s budget calculator tool, residents can try to make savings, balance the budget and see the impact their savings could have.

The categories include Waste, recycling and clean streets; Roads, pavements and transport; and Supporting education and young people.

Speaking to the LDRS, James McAsh, Green councillor and leader of Southwark council, said the campaign was about being honest with residents and making sure the council uses the money it has as “effectively and fairly as possible”.

“We’re going to have an honest conversation about the difficult choices we face and ask people what genuinely matters most to [them]. What are [their] top priorities? We can’t do everything, but we want to do the things that matter,” he said.

“I want residents to know we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them, we will work together to make sure that we get the best deal we possibly can from the government. We won’t shy away from holding the government to account.”

While a council tax rise of 4.99% has become the standard - it is the maximum permitted without a local referendum or special government permission - McAsh could not confirm whether there would be council tax rises next year.

He was also unable to say whether there would be job losses at the council but suggested it would be hard to avoid.

“With £102m, it’s very difficult to make those kind of savings without having an impact on staffing," he said. "At the moment, things [are] unconfirmed.

“We’re having a genuine conversation with the people in the borough. We’ll also be having a general conversation with the trade unions, but at the moment I can’t confirm it.”

The budget calculator does give a clue about the impacts of cuts if some services were prioritised over others.

If the maximum suggested reduction of 50% were made to the parks and open spaces budget for instance, the calculator states: “The parks service would be fundamentally redesigned around a much smaller core offer, with many facilities likely to close or receive only minimal maintenance.”

Victor Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat councillor, deputy leader of Southwark council and executive member for neighbourhoods, strategic planning, and wellbeing, described the £102m budget gap as a “completely unenviable situation”.

“We didn’t choose to be put in this position," he said. "Labour have run Southwark for 16 years and they failed in that time to actually stand up to their government and to bat for Southwark and make sure that we get the money that we need to support our communities.

“I think that’s what we’re doing differently now that there’s a joint administration. We’re listening to the people of Southwark and making sure that we look out for our neighbours and our families and friends so that they get the services that they need.”

Residents can give their views throughout October and November online and at events in the borough. There are also ballot boxes in community spaces across the borough where residents can leave feedback.

The council said detailed proposals for future council budgets have not yet been agreed, but will be shaped by financial, legal and equality considerations, along with residents’ views.

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