In summary, Estimates of cost increases on a £511M net budget are Inflation £7.7M, Demand and Demography £12.4M and “other Changes” £-4.1M.  Specific grants are £17M against £18.7 last year so we lose another £1.7M there.  That makes £17.7M in total.  There is also a new responsibility for public health which will cost £25.6M and is covered by a £25.6M grant.

Headline “savings” are Improve efficiency and remove unnecessary processes £9.7M, reduce management costs £0.5M rationalise office accommodation £1.3M, target resources in children’s services £2.5M, adult care in depth review £7M, re-let the highway contract £2M, reduce costs of waste services £0.8M and misc £1.1M for a total of £24.9M

Government formula grant £235.4M and Council Tax were £256.9M last year (adjusted for changes that have been made) Total £492M and for this year Revenue Support Grant £134.9M, Business Rates £90.5M (including top up and Council Tax £258.6 a total of £485.6M, £6.4M less.

Obviously the efficiency improvements and accommodation moves are long overdue but the care review and targeting in children’s services has the potential to increase the problems suffered by vulnerable people.