WARRINGTON Borough Council (WBC) is not seeking ‘exceptional’ financial support from the Government because of its income-generating investments and prudent strategy, says the deputy leader.

The full scale of the financial challenges faced by local councils across the UK as they emerge from the pandemic can be revealed following a BBC investigation.

The Shared Data Unit’s analysis of 171 upper-tier authorities found that 10 struggling councils in England are set to offset or borrow £290 million after being given exceptional permission from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to try to remedy what it called their ‘unmanageable pressures’.

UK local authorities – hit by falling income and increased costs – are set to make at least £1.7 billion worth of savings in 2021-22 while also using more than £500 million worth of reserves to balance the books.

Despite making those savings, local authorities currently predict a £3 billion shortfall in their budgets by 2023-24.

Labour-run WBC is not among the 10 councils that have asked for ‘exceptional’ financial support.

The Shared Data Unit says the council’s planned savings in this year, 2021-22, total £11.6 million – this includes £1.3 million of adult care savings.

It added that the council plans to use £4.49 million from its reserves in 2021-22.

Town Hall chiefs estimate the authority will need to make savings of £40.5 million over the four-year period between 2022-23 and 2025-26 – with £23.2 million of the savings required in 2022-23.

The council says it has a strong history of delivering savings and a sustainable budget across the last 11 years of austerity and in dealing with unprecedented demand for services.

A spokesman said it will continue to look at ways where it can protect services while delivering an estimated further £40 million of cuts and savings across the next four years.

Deputy council leader Cllr Cathy Mitchell, who is also the portfolio holder for corporate resources, added: “I’m not surprised that councils all across the country are struggling as a result of Government funding cuts – 60p in the £1.

“WBC are not seeking exceptional support from Government.

“We have managed to cope with the challenges of a decade of underfunding coupled with Covid because of our prudent financial strategy and our investments to raise revenue income, which have done really well, continuing to provide a return of over £20 million per year to spend on services for the people of Warrington.”