COUNCIL leaders have agreed on the budget for the next financial year, which includes freezing council tax for another 12 months.

It will now go before full council later this month for final approval. Details of the final budget emerged last week and there had been fears the Emergency Assistance Fund, which provides help to those who suddenly need help, was to be scrapped.

However, on Tuesday the Government announced it was re-introducing a welfare grant following lobbying from local authorities meaning Swindon will now get around £180,000.

This is lower than the previous amount so cabinet members conceded the fund next year will be smaller but they will consult on details.

The cabinet member for finance, Coun Russell Holland (Con, St Margaret and South Marston), said: “I’m really pleased that the Government has re-instated this fund following lobbying of ministers by the MPs, officers and myself.

“The council put in two formal responses to the Government consultation so we are pleased there is some money available.

“There will be less available so we will consult on the best approach to use the money we do have.

“I think overall this is a positive budget. Yes, there are difficult decisions to be made but we can’t keep on spending. We have to do the right thing and that is what we have done with this budget.”

Due to increasing demand on certain areas, such as adult and children social care, and a reduction in government grants, the council was left facing a £17 million budget deficit for the year.

Over the course of the last 12 months measures have been taken to meet this shortfall, including the leasing of leisure and golf facilities as well as the announcement that a number of children’s centres are to be decommissioned in April.

Back of house contracts have also been renegotiated while a portion of the New Homes Bonus, money Swindon Council gets from the Government for building new homes, will be used to plug the gap.

Despite these changes, last week the council leader David Renard said there were more tough decisions to be made with a predicted shortfall of £70 million in the next five years.