Balancing the budget

Liberal Democrat run Mole Valley District Council is planning to head off a hit to services of over £800,000 annually by making efficiency savings, generating new sources of income and increasing some charges - but still below the rate of inflation.

The budget plans will be discussed by the Council over the coming weeks. Cllr Bridget Kendrick, Cabinet member for finance, said, "Balancing our 2022/23 budget has been a major focus for us all over the last year. Alongside every other Council, business, organisation and individual in the country, Covid brought many challenges, including financial ones. While prudent financial management enabled us to fund any overspend during 2021/22 from reserves, it was recognised that this was not sustainable in the longer term." She explained that, as well as maintaining services, "We are also proposing £300,000 to support the Employment and Skills Hub, securing leisure centre provision in Dorking and Leatherhead, enhancing arts capacity in the District, carbon reduction schemes and the use of renewable power sources."

Leader of the Council, Cllr Stephen Cooksey added, "Last year we purposely drew on the Council's reserves to fund some of the Covid costs that the Government didn't pay for. That's what reserves are for. But this year we need to balance the budget and will do so, despite cuts in net Government funding and the continuing impact of Covid."