Council set for £18m boost after overspend

Blackpool is set to get a £17.7m increase in funding from the government for the next financial year to help pay for services across the town, a rise of 9.1% compared to this year.

It comes after warnings the town's council will overspend by £7m on its current budget, with reserves expected to plummet by the end of the financial year.

The increase has been announced as part of the government's annual determination of funding to local government from central government.

Core spending power will increase to £213.7m from £196m this year. 

As part of the settlement, social care funding will rise by 19% to £26m in 2025/2026 - an increase of £4.2m.

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb said it would "transform lives, improve our local services and deliver for the people of Blackpool."

He said: "Over the last few months I've brought ministers and senior government officials to Blackpool to show them in person the problems we face and the good work being done.

"The government has paid attention and recognised that investing in Blackpool is the right thing to do."

The settlement is expected to be approved early next year ahead of the council agreeing its 2025/26 budget including setting the level of council tax.

The latest financial report to the council's executive showed an expected overspend of £7m on the current budget, including a £5m overspend in children's services and a £3.5m overspend in adult services.

Councillor Paul Galley, leader of the Conservative group on the council, has previously warned services could be impacted if the finances are not brought back on track.

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