The long-term impact of COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis, coupled with an increased demand for public services, has left the council ‘struggling’ financially. 

Energy costs are increasing for the council as it is not protected by any price cap. This, together with a rise in inflation, has resulted in the cost of providing council services rising significantly. 

Executive Member for Finance Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey said the council needs to make “significant savings2 ovee the next three years. 

She added: “We are currently facing huge financial challenges while still fulfilling our duty of care to all our residents. This comes at a time when our residents need us the most. 

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“Please be assured that we intend to do all we can to support those who need our help the most, but that means we cannot just carry on as we are.” 

In order to balance its books, the council is looking at ways to reduce costs, while also generating more income. It has set up an organisational foundation programme (OFP) to create a strategic approach to generating efficiencies. 

One way identified has been to cut the costs of running the council’s Shute End offices by condensing staff on the bottom two floors of the building to save on both heating and lighting bills.