Investing in a Better Future for Our Borough - Bolton Labour

13th February, 2025

Bolton Labour’s Bold Budget: Investing in a Better Future for Our Borough

At the February 12th Council meeting, Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council and the Labour Group, delivered a speech highlighting Bolton Labour’s ambitious budget for 2025 and beyond. This budget is a transformative step towards rebuilding our borough after years of austerity and underfunding.

Delivering for Bolton Residents

Under the leadership of Labour, Bolton is set to benefit from significant investments across vital services. After 14 years of Conservative austerity, which saw local councils starved of funds, Labour’s budget marks a new era for the borough. Here’s what it means for Bolton:

No Cuts to Essential Services
For the second consecutive year, Bolton Labour is delivering a budget that protects neighbourhood services. There will be no further cuts to street cleaning, fly-tipping enforcement, parks, or highways maintenance. This commitment reflects Labour’s pledge to grow back services that residents rely on.
Major Investments in Local Priorities
- Children’s Social Care: Bolton will receive £3.8 million over the next two years for prevention initiatives, thanks to additional government grants and Labour’s decision to prioritise children’s services. This funding will help give every child the best start in life while saving money by addressing issues early.
- Highways Maintenance: A total budget of £7.5 million will be allocated to improve our roads, marking a significant increase from previous years.
- Parks and Green Spaces: Following last year’s £1 million investment, another £800,000 will go towards improving and maintaining our parks, play areas, and sports pitches.
- Neighbourhood Services: Labour is increasing funding for cemetery maintenance, environmental enforcement, free bulky waste collections, rodent control, and support for voluntary groups like Green Umbrella.
Empowering Local Communities
Each ward in Bolton will receive £50,000 to address local priorities, empowering councillors and residents to tackle the issues that matter most in their communities.

A Government That Listens to Bolton

Cllr Peel acknowledged the stark contrast between the Labour-led government and the 14 years of Conservative neglect. The new government has delivered a 6.8% increase in local government funding, including:

A 5.9% uplift in adult social care funding, bringing Bolton’s Social Care Grant to £37.8 million.
A new £2.25 million grant for children’s social care prevention.
An additional £3.2 million in Recovery Grant funding for Bolton, targeted at areas that have suffered the most from austerity.

These investments are a testament to Labour’s commitment to addressing inequality and rebuilding local services that have been decimated by Conservative cuts.

Supporting Growth and Sustainability

Labour’s vision for Bolton isn’t just about reversing cuts; it’s about driving progress:

A focus on sustainable growth through better-funded public services.
Long-term planning with multi-year settlements, allowing for more strategic budgeting and investment.
Reforms to outdated systems like council tax and business rates, advocating for a fairer approach to local government funding.

A Message to Bolton Residents

For years, residents have faced rising council tax bills without seeing the improvements they deserve. This budget changes that. Bolton Labour is delivering a budget that invests in cleaner streets, better parks, and vital services while putting children and communities at the heart of its priorities.

As Cllr Peel stated, “This is just the start. We have much more to do. But what a good start! Labour is proving that change is possible when we prioritise people and invest in the future of our borough.”

Looking Ahead

With a Labour-led government and council working together, Bolton is on the path to recovery and growth. From children’s services to cleaner streets, this budget reflects Labour’s values of fairness, community, and progress.

To learn more about how Bolton Labour is delivering for you, stay updated on our website and follow us on social media. Together, we’re building a better Bolton.