Norfolk County Council is facing tough decisions as it plans more than £33m in cuts to balance its budget. The council is looking to make savings in adult social services and children’s services, as well as considering raising council tax by over 5%. Deputy leader Andrew Jamieson acknowledged the difficult financial circumstances, stating that the council had no choice but to make these cuts.
Steve Morphew, leader of the council’s Labour group, criticized the proposed cuts, calling them a “managed decline” of services. He questioned the lack of details on where the cuts would come from, expressing concern over the impact on essential services.
The council is set to discuss these proposals on October 7th. With an annual budget of nearly £2bn for 2024-25, the council is facing a significant financial gap of £44.75m. Despite the challenges, the council is committed to finding ways to address the budget shortfall while maintaining essential services for the community.