THE leader of Leeds City Council has described extra government funding as “regrettably not enough to make any real difference” as final budget plans to deliver £63.9 million of savings in the next year were released this week.

The council’s budget report for the coming financial year 2024/25 includes a wide range of measures, such as new car parking charges, price increases, service and staffing reductions, together with a council tax increase of 4.98 per cent in order to deliver a balanced budget, as the council is legally required to do each year.

The council is expecting to receive approximately £6.8m of extra government funding announced last week, which will be used to help cover the additional costs of children’s social care placements. While welcoming the extra money, the leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor James Lewis says it won’t make a significant difference to the council’s overall financial position.

Cllr Lewis said: “While we welcome any additional support, the reality is it will regrettably not make much of a real difference given the scale of the situation we are in.

“The position remains perilous for not just us but councils across the country, with spiralling costs and a continuous challenge to make ends meet which has become almost impossible. The result is a budget which includes decisions we did not want to make, but now have to reluctantly put forward for approval.

“They will have an impact on the services people see and receive, but we are committed to doing everything we can to keep providing for all our residents even if some things are going to have to change as the reality is we have no other choice.”

The council says the position in Leeds reflects the impact of funding reductions, cost increases and demand pressures for council services since 2010. Between 2010 and the end of 2024/25, the council will have had to deliver savings totalling £794m, it adds.

The budget for 2024/25 identifies a further £51.9m of savings to add to £12m which had previously already been agreed for the coming financial year.

Among the proposed changes are:

* Introduction of car parking charges at Golden Acre Park and Otley Chevin Forest Park.

* Introduction of car parking charges at Netherfield Road in Guiseley and Fink Hill in Horsforth.

* Changes to opening hours at community hubs and libraries.

* Changes to fees and charges for adult social care in Leeds.

* Review of council care home provision.

* Review of fees and charges at community centres.

* Review of children’s centres and Little Owls nurseries.

* Bulky waste removal charges to remain free for each household’s first collection and then be reintroduced for more than one collection in the same year.

* Council staffing levels to reduce.

It is also proposed to increase council tax by 4.98 per cent (including 1.99 per cent dedicated to adult social care) representing an increase of £81.91 per year for a Band D property – £1.58 per week.

The annual budget plans will be discussed by senior councillors at the meeting of the executive board at Leeds Civic Hall on Wednesday (February 7), before then being debated and voted on at the meeting of full council on Wednesday, February 21.