Trafford Labour councillors have backed a balanced budget that will see millions invested in public services across the borough.

The proposals were tabled during the meeting of Full Council on Wednesday – and they included investment in the health sector, children’s services, leisure centres and highways.

Cllr Joanne Harding, Executive Member for Finance and Governance, said she was proud to present Labour’s sixth budget to council.

But she added: “I do this with caution and trepidation, as I know, in fact we all know, the parlous state of local government funding and what lies ahead in relation to balancing future budgets.

“This evening I will be candid around national factors that place a significant burden on local budgets. National drivers that have shaped the way in which we have had to approach this budget.”

To present a balanced budget Trafford Council had to close a finance gap of £17.8m through savings and other measures.

Since 2010, Central Government has reduced the authority’s revenue budget by £288m.

Cllr Harding continued: “One thing that is consistent is this Labour council’s approach to getting it right.

“We didn’t just heave a sigh of relief following last year’s budget when we got it over the line.

“We went straight back to work, considering all our options, facing reality and prepared to make tough decisions and to carry on fighting and lobbying for what is right for our residents, staff and communities.”

Despite all the proposals being passed in the report there currently remains a residual budget gap of £29.60m that needs to be closed over a two-year period.

The council approached LG Improve – local government experts – to investigate why the authority’s funding position is one of the lowest in the country.

They confirmed that the council had managed its finances in a ‘mature and responsible manner’ but under the current funding formula it would continue to lose ground.

A recent study from the Institute of Fiscal Studies has identified Trafford to have one of the largest shortfalls in funding compared to need. Trafford also has the lowest spending power of all 36 metropolitan districts.

“The proposal to increase council tax by 4.99pc in 2024/25 is following the government’s own assumptions, continuing to force councils to rely on council tax as a way of balancing budgets,” added Cllr Harding.

“To not increase the council tax by the level recommended in this report would increase the overall funding gap by £6.1m, which would mean further reductions on council expenditure would be necessary.

“Reliance on locally raised taxes to fund council services will place a significant burden on households, particularly during a time of economic uncertainty. Council tax is not the solution for meeting long term pressures facing high demand national services such as social care.”

Cllr Ben Hartley, who represents Ashton upon Mersey ward, agreed with his colleague, and welcomed the investment into the borough’s public services.

He said: “Trafford residents should judge Trafford Conservatives, not by their empty promises, but by their deeds.

“Last year, they refused to support £19m of investment into Altrincham Leisure Centre, over £16m into the Stamford Quarter and £2.8m to upgrade the public realm in Altrincham town centre – and a catalogue of other projects.

“I have previously called on them to do their duty and publicly call for a fair funding deal for Trafford – and no surprise – they refused to do that, too.  Once again, they continue to let residents down.

“Trafford Conservatives want to hold residents back just for political point scoring.  Under Labour, Trafford is investing in a brighter future for everyone.”