Residents Feed Back on County Council Budget
Worcestershire County Council is reminding residents that they can feed their opinions into this year’s budget-setting process.
The County Council has extended the ways in which it takes in views in a bid to give more people the chance to make their voice heard. Councillors want residents’ opinions before drawing up its day-to-day spending plans for 2008/09.
A specific section of the authority’s website has been given over for those using the internet to feedback on proposals for next year’s budget through a questionnaire. And telephone surveys will also be undertaken to canvass views from members of the public this month.
A number of questionnaires have already been filled in, showing residents are taking an interest in the way the budget-making process develops. And Finance chiefs are encouraging others to play a part in how their Council Tax is spent.
The authority needs to remove £25 million from its revenue budget by 2011 in the face of rising costs coupled with tighter funding increases and increased efficiency targets from Government. Issues have already been raised with the County Council’s Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Steering Committee has also looked at what’s on the table.
Residents’ views are needed as part of this process and will be fed back to Cabinet at the December 20 budget proposal meeting. Further consultation with stakeholders such as parish and town councils and unions will then follow before firm proposals are put forward by Cabinet on February 8 for debate and decision by Full Council on February 21.
Cllr Adrian Hardman, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “We need residents views on that which we’re proposing to ensure that we get the right balance, and it’s great to see that some people have already done that by going online and filling in the questionnaire. If more could take a little time out to do the same, we can hopefully feed this into the process.
“This doesn’t mean to say that everyone who responds will see their specific views replicated in the budget. But it does give us an idea on where residents feel their priorities lie, and we can attempt to reflect this come February.”
The questionnaire is available on
and will be available until Friday, November 30th.
For further information contact:
Julie Bishop
Administrative Support Officer
Voluntary & Community Sector Unit/Worcestershire Partnership
Telephone: 01905 766885
Visit our website at:
www.worcestershire.gov.uk/voluntary
www.worcestershirepartnership.org.uk