Council has no magic money pot, deputy leader warns

A senior Labour councillor has warned that difficult decisions about service delivery must be faced in order to balance a budget.

Mohammed Jamil, deputy leader of Peterborough City Council, has told taxpayers there is no "magic pot of money".

Jamil says council leaders will have to make "decisions that we all wish we could avoid".

But he says every council is in the "same boat".

The council has proposed increasing taxes, cutting museum opening hours and closing cafes to balance its books.

It could face a shortfall of more than £20m next year to keep essential services going unless it makes savings.

Jamil spelled out his thoughts in an online column as council members prepared for a budget meeting.

"There is no magic pot of money, we must be willing to make difficult decisions about service delivery to be able to balance our budget," he said.

"That doesn't always have to be about reducing services, it might be managing demand differently, for example by putting more time and effort into prevention work.

"Naturally, it will include decisions that we all wish we could avoid.

"However, every council nationally is in the same boat – those that will stay afloat are those where members work together for the good of the residents and are willing to make difficult decisions."

No-one is in overall control of the council but Labour is the biggest party.

"Since the Labour group took charge of the council last May, we have been focussed on the financial situation, knowing that we must find a way to achieve financial sustainability," said Jamil.

"But we've not done this alone, we've worked collaboratively with members across the political spectrum."

He added: "We have listened to what residents have told us and reflected that in the budget that is now presented."

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