Tag Archives: Economy

We want your thoughts on the Council’s budget

Councillor Craig Cheney stands, smiling, with the trees of College Green behind him.
Today’s blog is from Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy
Mayor for Finance, Governance, and Performance

Like many organisations, Bristol City Council has a cost of operating crisis, which will affect our ability to carry out all the activities we want to and may affect our ability to provide the services we want.

Over the next five years we must find a mix of additional income and cost savings between £37.5 million and £87.6 million, which equates to 9% to 20% of the council’s core budget. As part of our consultation on the annual budget which launches tomorrow (Friday 11 November), we’ll set our proposals for reducing costs and generating further income that amount to £46 million over the coming five years. With still some way to go to balance the worst-case five-year budget gap, further difficult decisions may be required in February 2023 and beyond to bridge the estimated £41 million gap remaining.

We’re not alone. The Local Government Association have estimated £3.4 billion in additional costs for councils in 2023/24, rising to £4.5 billion in 2024/25. Nine in ten councils nationally expect budget shortfalls next year and we’re no different.

How did we get here? This is a crisis that’s been over a decade in the making, with many years of austerity slashing council funding, with government support failing to keep pace with increasing costs and demand. In February this year, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities approved its plans for funding local government for the following three years. It was a plan that meant councils would get an upfront amount of money to fund themselves for the period of the plan, based on the financial circumstances of the time. This was a plan that local government leaders agreed would result in real terms cuts for services and would result in financial difficulties for councils in years two and three.

Since the council passed its current budget and five-year outlook in March 2022, there have been significant changes on a national and global stage that are having a direct impact on the authority’s financial forecasts. Inflation in the UK has risen sharply in recent months, climbing above 10% in September this year, pushing up the price of goods, services and energy for everyone in the country. Global events, such as the invasion of Ukraine, are also having an effect on international markets which impact directly on the cost of living. These current issues add pressure onto a local government system that is already struggling under the pressure.

This consultation will set out the full scale of the challenge we face. It makes for uncomfortable reading in places but must be read by also recognising that our proposals are to ensure the budget is balanced and the finances exist to fund the vital work we’re doing. If we are to continue to meet our statutory obligations including providing housing, delivering care for the elderly and disabled, creating school places, and helping people through the cost-of-living crisis, we are going to have to be prepared to let go of some of the things we’ve fought hard to protect over the past six years.

Residents and businesses have the opportunity to share their view on this journey now and will also be asked for input during future consultations on some proposals that have yet to be fully worked up. I urge everyone to take part in this conversation to help inform our approach and the decision that needs to be taken in February next year.

Once live it will be available here: https://www.ask.bristol.gov.uk/budget-2023-24

Apprentices building Bristol’s economy across all sectors

Today’s guest blog comes from Cllr Anna Keen, cabinet lead for Education and Skills.

Apprenticeships play a huge part in our efforts in building an inclusive, flourishing economy that doesn’t leave people behind.  They bring together training and real life experience to ensure the individuals completing each programme are work-ready, demonstrating first class experience of work, transferable skills that most employers look for and high quality qualifications.

Yet there are still myths about apprenticeships, who can do them, the types of subjects they cover and they often still come with a stigma of being a second class choice. I often see schools and parents guiding their young people towards other options, perhaps not fully understanding a modern day apprenticeship.

This week is National Apprenticeships Week, which shines a light on apprentices and their employers across the country and how much apprenticeship programmes have changed over the years.

Did you know…

  • Apprenticeships are suitable for anyone aged 16 or over?
  • Apprenticeships are available at a range of levels, from Level 2 for those just starting their career to Level 7 Master’s Degree equivalent across professional and management roles?
  • Apprenticeships cover a range of sectors, including law, finance, education, sales, marketing, IT as well as more traditional subjects?
  • Doing an apprenticeship can increase your long term earning potential and are also great for those returning to work or changing career?
  • Apprenticeships offer a competitive salary whilst all your training costs are paid, including at degree level?

For the employers that take on apprentices, the benefits are far-reaching. Across the UK, 78% of these organisations reported improved activity across the workforce, 74% reported improved product or service quality, 65% recognised the new ideas that apprentices bring to their organisation and 83% would recommend other business take on apprentices (Learners and Apprentices Survey 2018 report).

At Bristol City Council we currently have 160 apprentices across all areas (including one in the Mayor’s Office) and aim to increase that to 200 by 2020. Some of the council’s apprentices recently interviewed Mayor Rees on what apprentices bring to Bristol and the organisation.

This week there are a number of opportunities across the city to find out more about apprenticeships, including:

  • A digital open day on Wednesday 6 March, 10am-3pm with a range of organisations answering questions about apprenticeships on Twitter.  Anyone with an apprenticeship question can get in touch with one of the participating organisations via Twitter using the hashtag #ApprenticeOpenDay 

Drop in sessions at The Mall, The Galleries and City of Bristol College

  • Employer events at Aerospace Bristol

For more information about all of these events, visit www.bristol.works/apprenticeships

This week also sees the launch of a brand new website, as part of the Healthier Together partnership, which promotes apprenticeships across the region’s health and social care services.

Bristol is also taking part in the government’s Five Cities Apprenticeship Diversity Hub project, which is a pilot scheme designed to broaden the appeal of apprenticeships to more diverse audiences. It includes Bristol alongside Birmingham, Leicester, London and Manchester. Locally it is also supported by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

Apprenticeships provide us with a talent pipeline for the future and help us develop leaders for the future – I am proud to be supporting National Apprenticeship Week as a celebration of the energy and passion that apprentices bring to our city.

First Congestion Task Group Meeting

This morning I gathered together a group of transport experts from across the Bristol region to bring the city some hope for our badly congested and unreliable transport network.

This is an opportunity to move away from individual transport projects and look at how to deliver a transport solution for Bristol.

I explained to the group they will be driving the agenda. They will work together to look at what the city needs to tackle congestion and unlock economic growth for all. I want, and we need, a transport network that connects people to people, jobs and opportunities.

You can read more here.

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