Listening Council Backs £11million Savings Plan Following Public Consultation
Bedford Borough Council’s Executive have backed plans to save
taxpayers over £11million following a major consultation with local
residents.
The savings have been focused primarily on looking at the
services provided by the Council and how they could be provided in
a better and more efficient way.
Back in September, Bedford Borough Council was one of the first
local authorities in the country to announce its budget plans. This
meant the council could carry out an early, open and genuine
consultation with its residents to help inform the debate before
the final decision is taken in February.
At its meeting on Wednesday 8th December, the Council Executive,
considered a range of views put forward by local groups and
individuals about what they thought of the budget proposals and how
the council should arrive at a balanced budget given the savings
that needed to be made. A number of key issues had clearly focused
opinion during the consultation and having listened to these views
the council announced the following changes to its original
proposals:
Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson, said:
“We set out our budget proposals very early in order to give
residents the best possible chance to look at how we planned to
make these savings and help us shape the budget for 2011. I would
like to thank everyone who took part in this process. It’s
essential that the council listens to residents and that people are
able to have their say as part of a genuine, open consultation.
Because of their efforts we are able to propose savings of over
£11million while keeping services like Foxgloves Children’s respite
home, preventative early years support and maintaining our
hospital school.”
Cllr Michael Headley, Finance Portfolio Holder said:
“Like all councils, we are facing a huge financial challenge
with large reductions in funding from the government. In
dealing with this we have focused on cutting out waste and
streamlining back office operations. We are committed to maximising
the protection for frontline services. . For instance we’ve saved
£400,000 by managing our debts differently and £260,000 by
looking again at the routes used by our dustbin
lorries.
By actively seeking the views of local people they have
been able to help us to identify new ways to provide some important
services while still making a saving.”
The Council will formally consider the budget for 2011/12 at its
Full Council meeting in February.