Council £5.3m in black after keeping tight rein on budgets

Reform review on how funds allocated

- Kerry Ashdown

STAFFORDSHIRE County Council has ended the latest financial year more than £5m in the black despite rising care costs and other economic pressures.

The authority has also faced greater difficulty in recruiting staff for adult social care, as well as an increase in the number of children in care during the past year.

But it has not only been able to stay within its £747m budget for 2024/25, but ended the year with a £5.3m underspend, cabinet members heard.

Speaking at Wednesday's cabinet meeting, Councillor Chris Large, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “The final outturn position reflects an underspend across all of the directorates. However, we have had some significant pressures seen in children in care placements and in older people with physical disabilities, with those services being partially funded by an additional allocation of Social Care Grant.