Notts County Council launches the Big Budget Conversation
THOUSANDS of tax payers across Notts can have their say on county council budget cuts from today.
The Big Budget Conversation will let people tell Notts County Council how they think it should save £150m over the next three years.
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Next year it predicts it must save £69m due to funding cuts by central Government, added costs due to higher demand in services for children and older people, and increased inflation and pension costs.
All of its 500 services are being reviewed, with officials saying it is unlikely any service will be delivered in the same way they are now.
Council leader Kay Cutts said the council wanted to hear from taxpayers before it made any decisions.
She said: "We have £150 million to save over the next three years. It's a huge amount.
"We need people's ideas, feedback and opinions. These are your services and this is your money, so have your say. It is vital that we understand our residents' views before we make difficult decisions about our budget."
The council says it can save £17m by saving on administration and other cost-cutting work.
But all services are being reviewed to see if they can be provided differently.
Chief executive Mick Burrows said the financial challenge faced was "unprecedented."
He said: "We are reviewing every single service that we provide, with a view to saying is that service delivering what people need? Can that service be delivered in a different way?
"Can we manage it within another part of the council? Can we outsource it? Can we stop it altogether? Stopping it altogether is the place of last resort."
He added the Big Budget Conversation was designed to help people understand the challenges faced by the council and tough decisions which had to be made.
The council is also hoping to find out which services the public would be prepared to do for themselves.
"It's a more interactive and exciting way of having a conversation. We want people to get a feel for the challenge we are facing," said Mr Burrows.
Residents can get involved by:
Using an online simulator to say how they would spend the council's funds.
Downloading a DIY Big Budget Conversation discussion toolkit, which schools, community groups or individuals could use.
Visiting a library drop-in session or completing a feedback card.
Taking part in Big Budget Conversation online discussion forums.
The county council spends around £1.4bn a year. Once money that has been ring-fenced for education, long -term capital and other commitments is taken out it is left with £484m.
It is expecting central government to cut grants to local authorities by 25 to 40 per cent in real terms over the next four years, with a loss of between £40m and £60m in revenue grants. Its exact position will become clearer following a spending review in October.
The council has already announced it expects to cut 2,500 posts over the next three years to make savings.
Coun Alan Rhodes, leader of the Labour Party at Notts County Council, said he hoped the consultation was genuine, but feared Conservative members had already made up their minds.
He said: "If it's meaningful and the administration is prepared to listen and change its mind on some issues then I would welcome it. If it's going through the motions then I think its quite shameful."
Mr Rhodes added he felt people had not been listened to over cuts announced last year, such as the sell-off of residential care homes.
He added: "To pretend to consult with people is insulting."
To have your say and for more information visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/conversation
See Post opinion on page 14
18 Comments
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by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Thursday, September 02 2010, 5:33PM
“Jan as I understand it the beach is being funded by Mellers Amusements.
Even so, are you honestly saying we should not spend anything on cultural events like that?
As for your second point, you have the right to make it, but I'm afraid you're just plain wrong. I think comments by Mr Shepherd as pointed out by VOTP, and cameron a few weeks ago in which he said services will not be restored to current levels even when the finances improve give the game away.
There are alternatives; can you tell me, Jan, why County Hall needed to appoint the new improvement director, let alone give him a £17500 advance?”
by Jan, Nottingham
Thursday, September 02 2010, 6:03AM
“I suppose the obvious cuts,eg huge salaries paid to council officials, numbers of people (not) working at County Hall, vast expenses claimed by councillors, pay of the police, who are one of the worst forces in the country and should be penalised for their laziness and inefficiency, money wasted on pointless frivolities like the stupid " beach" this summer, won't be cut though, much more necessary services will be.
As for all the Labour propaganda above, it was the years of Labour squandering money it didn't have on people ( eg the underclass, immigrants) who should have got nothing that landed us in this mess. Had they been re-elected they'd have had to change theor ways and cut as the Coalition is going to have to, since the IMF and other international authorites aren't swayed by Labour propaganda; they just look at the facts and our national balance-sheet, which Labour supporters are too dim or dishonest to do.”
by Voice of the People, Everywhere!
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 11:16PM
“Income Generator, the Tories have been shown many different ways by UNISON, Labour & the Broxtowe Liberals in which they could increase revenue streams and reduce overheads, but without sacrificing services, but they've chose not to listen.
But remember, their ex-cabinet member for adult services, Mel Shepherd, owned up in a public meeting that they'd be doing exactly what they're doing now, even if the council was awash with cash. These are ideological cuts, no more, no less.
There are alternatives, but the Tories choose not to listen. That is the fact of the matter.”
by Roj Taylor, Nothingham
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:41PM
“I see that certain departments are missing from the Council's calculator, such as Mr Burrow's Chief Executive Dept or Legal or HR. These are the services that the people of Nothingham really can't do without.”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:46PM
“"A rise in Council tax (which all councils have been told not to do by Central Gov)"
So much for localism, eh?
And, Fred, I hardly call care homes, HWRCs, day centres ETC, waste; I call them frontline services. And cuts to them are the direct result of the politically motivated decision to freeze council tax.”
by Income, Generator
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:38PM
“VOTP and friends - the point of the caculator is, I believe, to give people a chance to play with reality. Now if you've got ideas to generate 50 odd million quid, this year, and every single year to follow, then for goodness sake, let them have it! A rise in Council tax (which all councils have been told not to do by Central Gov) would generate about £3m for every 1% increase. What other ideas to you have?”
by Voice of the People, Everywhere!
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 7:39PM
“Bex, the problem is that by participating, you are validating their needless cuts.
The way the 'simulator' is set up, you cannot proceed until you have made £57m of cuts. There is no option for suggesting alternative income streams etc. instead of simply assuming that this £57m is non-negotiable.
The consultation is a whitewash. No doubt Cutts will come out and say, "Everyone who took part agrees with us that cuts have to be made," despite the fact the consultation FORCES you to make cuts.”
by Bex, Notts
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 7:10PM
“Are you all going to participaite or going to be like the rest sit here moaning but do nothing about it given the chance? So what these might all go ahead but at least you can say you had your say if you can sit here and winge about the government put your money were your mouth is and respond... But let me guess... You wont ... because whats the point?”
by Fred, Notts
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 6:59PM
“VOTP, Sensible, what on earth are you smoking if you really think people will vote to pay extra council tax. There is so much waste and inefficiency in local government, lets get rid of that first.”
by Cut Cutts Cuts, Notts
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 5:55PM
“VOTP
spot on dude....”