Published on:
16
December 2013
The Council's ongoing budget consultation process has stepped up a gear with the publication of specific saving proposals.
The Council launched its budget consultation process last month and so far it has included significant levels of publicity and the widespread distribution of an information booklet. There have been two public meetings and the Council Leader has held meetings involving the Third Sector Interface, Parent Councils and Alliance Partners. This has so far led to around 180 responses to the online survey. Significant consultation has also taken place with staff.
Today the budget consultation enters the next phase with further awareness raising publicity and an online survey based on a range of specific officer savings proposals. The list of proposals can be accessed on ClacksWeb.
Chief Executive Elaine McPherson said: "Given the scale of the financial challenges facing the Council, councillors will have to make extremely difficult choices about where to allocate reducing resources. It is not going to be possible for the Council to deliver all the services it currently does in the way it currently does; instead, the Council will need to reduce costs, prioritise its resources and operate in a more integrated way with its public service partners to achieve its intended outcomes.
"The purpose of this second phase of consultation is to get feedback on the officer proposals to provide greater transparency over the difficult choices elected members will have and to assist the decision making process. It is important to note that these are officer proposals and are not approved savings.
"Nothing will be finalised until the Council approves its budget in 2014. Prior to that budget being set, feedback from the full range of consultation activity will be shared with all elected members to inform budget decisions."
The Council is keen to receive as many views as possible on the specific officer proposals. You can access the online survey via ClacksWeb.
The consultation will run until 22nd January 2014.