Trafford Labour politicians have approved a balanced budget that will see millions invested in services that matter the most to residents.

The multi-million-pound spending plans include supporting vulnerable people to stay at home, improving leisure facilities, creating additional school places while boosting town centre regeneration.

Cllr Joanne Harding, Executive Member for Finance, tabled a swathe of investment strategies during the authorities annual Budget Meeting on Monday.

Speaking to the reports, Cllr Harding acknowledged that presenting a robust budget for the next financial year had been an arduous and rigorous team effort.

She said: “Against a backdrop of extreme funding challenges across local government, Trafford Council continues to be innovative, dedicated and committed to delivering services for our residents.

“However, I also recognise, as we all do, that increasing Council Tax to bring in the essential funds that we need, places more of a financial burden on households, at a time when we are hearing news about a hike in energy costs and the general cost of living.

“We are clear, as a Labour administration, alongside our colleagues in the Local Government Association (LGA) that raising Council Tax is not the answer to address the long-term pressures facing us as councils.

“We will be advocating as part of the spending review to push for what is really needed.”

Since 2010, Trafford Council has made over £300m of savings. And as the authority prepared the revenue budget for the next financial year it had to take steps to close a £27.6m budget gap.

This included a 7.49 per cent rise in Council Tax to pay for increased services and a loan from central government for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) of £9.6m to balance the books.

Cllr Harding continued: “A considered and responsible decision to apply for EFS was taken as part of our budget management plans. Trafford is one of 30 councils to receive financial support, and officers at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, were satisfied that we, as an authority, have taken all the necessary steps to achieve a balanced budget.

“As for members across the chamber – arguing that this was a surprise, or it happened too quickly – I can only assume they have had their fingers in their ears, and hands across their eyes to wilfully ignore the writing on the wall.

“I have referenced the need for urgent financial support and a fairer funding system for local authorities for years – and will continue to do so.”

The £231.9m budget includes investment of £15.79m in highways, a further £11m on Adults Social Care and £6.02m on parks and green spaces.

There is also £41.67m to continue plans to modernise the borough’s leisure centres and improve outdoor sports facilities.

However, the council will still have a future budget gap of £35.3m over the next two years, including having to find an extra £27.89m in 2026/27.

Some key facts to consider: 

Despite voting against Labour’s Budget, no opposition party presented an alternative plan.

Incredibly, Trafford Conservatives were unable to submit an amendment to the budget as they could not prove it was financially prudent – demonstrating they have not learnt from their past mistakes.

In total, they have now made £79m in unfunded promises over recent years – equivalent to the size of the councils entire adult social services budget.

What would this mean? It means that, had voters not rightly rejected Trafford Conservatives at recent elections, the council would have gone bankrupt years ago, resulting in the most basic services cut back to nothing.

The difference is stark. While opposition parties play performance politics, Labour are focused on delivering for Trafford – including the priorities set out in this Budget.