Like all local authorities, we are operating in a challenging financial environment. Demand for services continues to rise, particularly in areas such as children’s services. Inflation and wage growth adds further pressure to our costs.
That is why we are planning carefully and continuing to transform our services.
By law, we must set a balanced budget, which requires often difficult decisions about savings, income generation, and service delivery.
While next year’s budget is currently forecast to balance, in the medium term the modelling is showing potential widening gaps as funding is not keeping pace with inflation and service demand.
Despite the challenges we face, we have made significant progress, and this work will continue. We have delivered tens of millions in savings since April 2023 through our Transformation Plan. We’ve also set about harmonising services, investing in digital technology, as well as adopting a preventative approach to help us be more financially sustainable. We are also realising the benefits of local government reorganisation to make the services we provide work better for you.
As we deliver on your priorities, we have achieved many things over the past few years, including:
- Children’s Services achieved a “Good” Ofsted rating while saving millions by taking a more effective approach to services.
- Roads and Infrastructure saw nearly 9,000 pothole repairs in 24/25 and the building of the Carlisle Southern Link Road
- Public Transport introduced new bus routes, enabling 11,000 journeys in the first few months.
- Our community investment and regeneration projects have seen millions spent on regeneration projects across Cumberland many of which from Carlisle, through Maryport to Millom, are really starting to take shape.
These achievements demonstrate our commitment to improving services while managing resources responsibly. With your input, we can continue to build a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable Cumberland.
Cllr Barbara Cannon, Executive member with responsibility for financial planning and assets, and Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council.
