CASH-STRAPPED social services chiefs are struggling with one of the lowest budgets in the country, it emerged this week.

Only rural places like Rutland and the East Riding have less to spend per head than Warrington, while Halton Borough Council has £41 MORE for each person.

Despite being praised by the Government for its wise money management, the department is yet to be rewarded with extra cash - while less efficient authorities continue to enjoy greater resources.

Colin Froggatt, chairman of social services, said: "Because we are working on such a tight margin of tolerance we only need a hiccup and it can send social services into over spending. You only need a young child going into a very special care environment costing £60,000 to £70,000 a year. It has a massive impact on the budget.

"Our Government grant does tend to be lower than Halton. The spend per head in Warrington is one of the lowest in the country", he added.

He said one of the reasons for this is that the Government favours Halton because it is believed to have more social problems.

Mr Froggatt also said that some of the problems with funding are a legacy from Cheshire County Council, which used to spend less on Warrington than Halton.

He said: "Although Cheshire spent in the region of eight per cent over the Government Standard Spending Assessment, we spent six per cent below for Warrington."

The council has been criticised by councillors and residents, who argue that it should prioritise spending on frontline services over leisure and the town centre - set to receive a £4.7 million revamp this year.

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