Council identifies host of savings in bid to plug predicted £106m budget gap

OPPORTUNITIES to drive down a council's costs are starting to be identified as a major efficiency review makes progress.

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Reducing agency staff, stepping up early help to prevent residents reaching a crisis point, and expanding a specialist team supporting people to regain independence are amongst areas offering the greatest potential to save money.

The early ideas are included in Leicestershire County Council's four-year budget proposals, with the first identified saving of £1m already helping to reduce the budget gap.

The 2026-30 plan earmarks £131m extra for social care - 20 per cent more than previous forecasts, to manage rising demand for support for vulnerable people.

Over the last 12 months, demand for children needing costly residential provision has increased by 28 per cent.