Brum budget 2021 - the challenges and opportunities ahead

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, writes on this year’s budget-setting process and why it is different to previous years…

The unprecedented challenges of the last 12 months mean the council’s annual budget setting process, like everything else in the world, has been significantly different.

As you’ll probably be aware, in previous years our budget proposals have been formulated in the autumn and the council has engaged in a large-scale public consultation.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the new Delivery Plan approach, approved in November 2020, has required a change to this approach and a broader engagement is instead taking place on the Delivery Plan and resourcing priorities.

The council continues to plan its budget in a period of uncertainty. For example, the impact and financial costs of COVID-19 will be highly dependent on the length of time the pandemic continues.

The immediate priorities of this financial plan are to help us:

• bridge the financial gap within our budget
• reduce costs
• secure funding

to improve outcomes for our citizens and create greater prosperity in the city.