Council tax to rise by maximum 4% as local authority tries to address social care failingsBlackpool council has said it will invest an extra £14m in its beleaguered children’s services by axing up to 75 jobs and raising council taxes. Figures show the cost of all social care in Blackpool accounts for more than three-quarters of local authority spending. Budget proposals for the forthcoming financial year show cuts of £5m, which mean savings of £19.6m must be found across all services when the funding for children’s services is factored in. In January last year, children’s social care in the Lancashire resort was deemed inadequate because of “key weaknesses” in support services. The council leader, Simon Blackburn, who previously revealed he had considered resigning over the failings, said the council would increase spending on children’s social care from 48% of its budget to 76%.

Source: The Guardian January 31, 2020 12:33 UTC