Image
Our councillors received an update this week detailing £4.495m of pressures. We had planned to spend over £245m this financial year but forecasts now put that figure at nearly £250m.
To provide an independent assessment, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) carried out a Financial Resilience Review. Their report recognised our strengths in areas such as strong in-year budgetary discipline and treasury performance. But it also concluded that future sustainability will depend on large-scale transformation, rebuilding reserves, and integrated planning across services and finances.
As with many councils across the country, the greatest pressures are in care-related services for adults and children.
We have a legal duty to support over 2,500 adults across North Somerset, each with different assessed needs and packages of care – whether at home, in supported housing, or in residential or nursing settings.
We are also the ‘corporate parent’ to around 280 children in care. Rising costs for residential accommodation, support for children with disabilities, and home-to-school transport are all adding strain to the budget.
On top of these pressures, the government is consulting on changes to the way councils in England are funded. Current proposals would reduce our core funding by £17.4m from 2026/27.
A more detailed report on our medium-term financial planning will be discussed by councillors in October.
You can read the full Cabinet report here.