FINANCIAL experts at County Hall have two months to find £1 million.

Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet recently met to discuss the authority’s budget for 2018/19 and while the Conservative councillors were happy to endorse the budget, there is still a financial gap of £1m between what the council expects to spend and the funds it can raise next year.

The county council is planning to make a 4.94 per cent increase in what council tax payers will be asked for next year for its services - equivalent to a £57 increase for band D payers.

Three per cent of the increase will be ringfenced to be spent on adult social care.

Councillor Simon Geraghty is both the leader of the council and the cabinet member for finance.

He said: “Two thirds of the budget will be spent on adults and children. We are still in a challenging financial climate, but we are within a million pounds of closing the gap.

Cllr Geraghty said the priorities for budget spending have been set by a consultation with residents and added: “Roads, pavements and congestion are one of the things most important to people, and we are increasing spending on that. Residents also want to see services delivered to the most vulnerable in the community, both adults and children.”

Cabinet members spoke to say how pleased they were with the budget.

Councillor Alan Amos, who is responsible for Highways said: “We will be spending £1 million more on improving pavements across the county."

One dissenting voice came from Councillor Peter Macdonald, leader of the Labour group, who was observing.

He said: “This report makes clear there is a major financial gap, and earmarked reserves are being used. What happens when they run out, what cuts are coming then?”

The budget will be put to public consultation and will be voted on by full council in February.