Foreword from the leader
Over the last year, we have been forging ahead with plans based on what residents like you told us is important. We have listened and invested our resources into creating a new Street Safe team to be in our town centres, more roadside cleaning to remove litter from hedgerows and verges, and more support to help local people get back into work.
In the months since then, the government has again changed the way that councils are funded – to Rotherham’s benefit. As a result, we are able to keep this year’s Council Tax below the government’s limit for the seventh successive year. That will save the average Rotherham family £100 this year and every year going forward.
It also means that we can commit an additional £14 million to support Children’s and Adults’ Social Care next year – the single biggest areas of expenditure for the Council.
Beyond that, we are responding to your priorities. We’ll spend an additional £2.7 million on improving the condition of the borough’s roads. Our new team of Business Support Officers will support our High Streets, backed by additional funding to help them flourish. We’ll make improvements to our green spaces at Rother Valley and Ulley Country Parks, and we’ll support hard-pressed families with more free holiday activities for children, more youth work, and upgrades to local play areas.
Our budget priorities have been guided by the principle of improving the quality of life for our residents. We’re forging ahead with the changes we need to make life better. Because this is Rotherham: a place where people belong, are proud of their borough, and where everyone is supported to reach their potential.
Cllr Chris Read
Leader of Rotherham Council
