Bury Council Bets Big on Frontline Staff with Real Living Wage
Frontline social care workers, key players during the Covid crisis, are set to get a pay boost in Bury’s first post-pandemic budget. The council will introduce the Real Living Wage for hundreds of local authority and contracted staff who currently earn near the bottom of the pay scale.
This move will cost £1.2 million this year and will be phased in over two to three years. It forms a core part of the 2021/22 budget focused on recognition, recovery, and regeneration—unveiled by councillors tonight.
“Care staff and those in schools and public services have been frontline heroes during the pandemic,” said Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council. “Too many have been undervalued and underpaid. We’re proud to take steps to fix that by introducing the Real Living Wage.”
Covid Hits Bury’s Coffers Hard – But Recovery Plans Are Underway
Covid has cost Bury Council a staggering £43 million over three years from lost income and extra expenses caused by lockdowns and restrictions.
The council plugged a £21 million shortfall for the next financial year with £11 million from reserves and had to cut services to find the remaining £10 million.
“Covid’s financial hit is massive, costing us £46 million this year alone,” Cllr O’Brien explained. “Government support covered £36 million, but we still face a £10 million gap and more challenges ahead.
“Still, investing in people and the local economy is crucial if we want Bury to thrive after the pandemic.”
Big Bucks for Town Regeneration and Community Support
- More than £30 million pledged to transform Radcliffe’s heart
- Masterplans underway to revive Bury and Prestwich town centres
- A bespoke Town Plan for Ramsbottom, protecting its civic suite
- £6 million Regeneration Investment Fund to lure external cash
- Nearly £10 million in council housing improvements
- Free school meals committed to eligible pupils over long summer holidays
Extra Funds Boost Community and Green Spaces
- £50,000 for each of the five Community Hub areas via a community recovery fund
- Business recovery fund for ‘shop local’ initiatives
- £200,000 strategic transport fund to leverage Government’s Levelling Up plan
- £250,000 for road safety, street cleaning, litter, and flood hotspots
- £300,000 to enhance parks and green spaces, plus £100,000 for Burrs Country Park and £150,000 for a new skate park at Clarence Park
- £200,000 for playground upgrades
- £300,000 on anti-poverty aid for those newly eligible
- Support for local artists and events during Bury’s year as GM Town of Culture
- £100,000 to upgrade borough CCTV to HD following full fibre rollout
Budget Cuts, Council Tax Hikes, and Social Care Focus
- £9 million savings over four years in adult social care via service changes and more community care
- £1.2 million cut from children’s services through contract reviews and vacant post removals
- £5 million saved via ‘transformation’ including building closures, agile working, digital-first initiatives, and neighbourhood self-care
- Council tax will rise 1.94% for general services plus a 3% adult social care precept—all adult social care precept funds ring-fenced for social care
- Levies by Greater Manchester Mayor, police, and fire add up to a total 4.69% council tax increase
- For most residents in Bands A and B (over half of 84,000 homes), this means weekly hikes of £1.15 and £1.34 respectively
- Council house rents, garage rents, and sheltered housing charges will rise by 1.5%, with proceeds solely for social housing
“Our budget themes are clear: recognise those keeping us safe from coronavirus, recover from financial fallout, and regenerate towns across the borough,” said Cllr O’Brien.
