A DECLINING population could put Wirral’s already overstretched budget under more pressure over the next few years, the council has revealed.

The results of the 2011 Census are expected to confirm a significant drop in Wirral’s population since 2001 – the largest for any other metropolitan or unitary authority according to a report to the authority’s ruling cabinet. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, Wirral’s population declined from 315,000 in 2001 to 308,000 in 2009 – a drop of 2.1%.

In his report to the council’s cabinet, Wirral’s director of finance Ian Coleman said: “During the course of this budgeting period, the results of the Census 2011 will become available and will be incorporated into the grant distribution formulae.

“The Office for National Statistics has released the mid-2009 estimated populations.

“The reduction for Wirral since the Census 2001 is greater than for any other metropolitan or unitary authority.

“If this is confirmed in the Census 2011, then the reduction in grant receivable could be significant.”

This comes as the council, despite shedding 1,100 jobs and cutting almost £50m from its budget, still faces a major budget deficit in the coming years.

The latest budget projections indicate the council faces a shortfall of £21.3m next year, 2012-13, followed by deficits of £27.6m and £30.3m over the next two years to 2015. These projections already assume a reduction in the formula grant from Government from £144.8m in 2012-13 to £117m by 2014-15, as well as no council tax increase over this period, although for 2013-15 the Government is proposing changes to grant distribution.

Council leader Cllr Jeff Green said the impact of population on the grants from Government would not be immediate, but did show how important it is for people to complete their Census forms.

Cllr Green said the details gathered by Government from the Census plays an important role in helping central Government decide how grants are disbursed between local authorities across the country.

He said he had spoken to Wirral’s director of finance about the impact of a declining population, and said: “It will have a direct impact of the level of resources for the council and how we are able to determine how those resources are allocated.”

However, he said they would carefully examine the figures, and added: “If we think they aren’t right, we will challenge them.”