Foreword from the Leader
Over the past months, we’ve consulted extensively with people across Rotherham. We’ve listened carefully to your concerns and priorities, and those conversations have shaped our budget for the upcoming year. And under the new government Rotherham is benefiting from £14 million in additional funding—among the highest increases anywhere.
That’s part of the reason why for the second year running we’re delivering the lowest council tax increase anywhere in Yorkshire. In fact, over the last 6 years by keeping council tax below the government’s limit we’ve saved Rotherham families more than £200 each.
Residents have told us that keeping communities safe is a top priority. So, one of our first steps is to launch our brand-new ‘Street Safe Team’. The team will use local insights to address issues, tackle littering and dog fouling, and give residents a familiar, reassuring presence in their communities in our town centre and the principal towns of Dinnington, Maltby, Swinton, and Wath.
We’re creating a new dedicated roadside cleaning team, adding again to our investments to improve the appearance of our communities, and directing more cash to improve our roads and pavements.
And we’re making permanent our Employment Solutions team which will help more than 1,000 people back into work or training over the next three years.
Along with these new programmes, of course we’re also keeping our commitments to improve Adults and Children’s Social Care, which together require more than half of the Council’s budget.
We’re forging ahead, confident that with your continued input and support, we can continue to make our communities better places for all of us.
Cllr Chris Read
Leader of Rotherham Council