In December 2024 the council released its annual budget consultation. As always, feedback is taken into account and as much as possible it's modified to reflect that feedback.
This year the government has provided much needed additional funding to local councils, which has really helped us to revisit some of the savings proposals and make changes in response to the consultation.
These are the key items:
Reversal of 10% cut to Neighbourhood Networks, which run important community services - in our ward the amazing Welcome In / OPAL is one of these
Kirkstall Abbey House Museum to remain open
Bowling greens to remain open - giving us more time to find cost savings so they can stay open in the long term
Here's the relevant information for each of these points:
Neighbourhood Networks
The council announced in December a proposal to reduce the Neighbourhood Networks budget by 10%. The council was clear that it would not normally want to look at services such as the Neighbourhood Networks for savings, but because of the unprecedented financial pressures facing the council all opportunities to reduce costs and deliver services more efficiently had to be considered. The council sees the Neighbourhood Networks as key partner organisations that are of immense value to the local communities they serve. Following the decision in December, council officers engaged with many of the Neighbourhood Networks to consider the best ways to make the savings while minimising any impact on the services they deliver.
In late December the council received notification from the Government of our Local Government Finance Settlement. This sets out each year the amount of funding the council receives from central Government, and the council received confirmation of an increase in funding for Leeds for the next financial year. This means the council is now a position where it can afford to withdraw the December proposal to reduce the Neighbourhood Networks budget by 10% and commit to maintaining funding at current levels for the next financial year.
The Council recognises the invaluable support the Neighbourhood Networks provide in communities all across Leeds, and is committed to continuing to work in partnership with them moving forward.
Kirkstall Abbey House Museum
The proposal to close the museum will not now be implemented.
It is clear from the feedback received from the consultation how much the museum is loved and valued by residents, so moving forward the Kirkstall Ward Members will work with the Executive Board Member to put the museum on a more sustainable financial footing, including a future that ensures the museum collection remains open to the public at its current site.
Bowling greens
The feedback received on the original proposal is currently being fully analysed. The early analysis shows that there has been an overwhelming preference from respondents for cost recovery rather than closures and as a result I’m pleased to confirm that the council has committed to look again at the proposal, with the aim of minimising closures.
The Council has already committed to maintaining all crown green bowling facilities until the end of the 2025 summer season. As part of the original consultation exercise the council received many positive suggestions from clubs about how they can continue to operate in a more financially sustainable way in the future. The Council will now carry out a further round of consultation with the clubs to find the best way forward for them in the longer term.