Salford Council plan Foundation Living Wage for social care staff

MCRJourno

Salford City Council’s cabinet has set out budget proposals for the next financial year that would see the authority spend more than £392 million.

The council proposed to commit 64% of the budget (£251 million) for children’s services, adult social services and health.

Proposals would see extra money invested into adult social care to provide care packages and support adult social care workers in being paid a Foundation Living Wage.

Under the proposals, an additional £2 million would be invested in school transport for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

This includes services that the authority has a statutory responsibility to provide, including supporting around 560 children in care and providing long-term care to 2,400 vulnerable adults, and short-term care to a further 400 vulnerable adults.

There is a proposed 2.99% increase in council tax, as well as a 2% increased precept for adult social care to help meet the rising demand and cost for services.

This would mean that for a Band A property, the city council’s element of the council tax would be £1,368.51, an increase of £1.25 per week.

The new government has announced that the Council will receive a welcome £6.5 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including £2.7 million for homelessness prevention. However, the Council will still have to increase its budget

The budget aims to protect essential services including investment in street cleansing vehicles and staff.

The city will also get a share of an additional £14.8m to support road maintenance and tackle potholes.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The new government’s Recovery grant award of £9.7 million recognises that we have a greater need than many other councils.

"The previous government took £245 million out of Salford’s budget and has significantly contributed to increased demand on council services.

"Over the past 12 months we have delivered on our priorities to support residents with a real living wage, we have worked at pace to give more than 2,000 elderly households a total of £412,200 winter fuel payment support, and pledged support to save Salford Lads and Girls’ Club."