Budget 2012 - More Chances To Have Your Say
19 January 2012
Residents from across Peterborough are being invited to
have their say about the
Cabinet’s budget proposals.
Peterborough City Council has published details over how it will
invest and where it plans to save money in 2012/2013.
The document sets out how the council proposes to balance the
challenge of further government funding cuts with the need to
continue creating a vibrant and growing city.
As part of the consultation process which is now underway,
residents can learn more about the Budget proposals and have their
say at a number of meetings where senior council staff will be
happy to answer any questions. All comments will be fed back to
Cabinet for members to consider before Full Council meets on
Wednesday, 22 February to agree the budget.
- Monday, 23 January - Welland Primary School, Scalford Drive,
Eastern Avenue, Peterborough, PE1 4TR. Any presentations will be
tailored towards people who live in the Central, Dogsthorpe, East,
Park and North wards. The meeting starts at 6.15pm. The scheduled
meeting of the Dogsthorpe East & Park Neighbourhood
Committee will take place following the Budget proposals
discussion.
- Tuesday, 24 January - Honeyhill Community & Children’s
Centre, Chadburn, Paston, Peterborough, PE4 7DH. This will be part
of the Peterborough North area committee meeting. The
committee discusses issues affecting Paston, Walton, Werrington
North and Werrington South wards. The meeting starts at
7.30pm.
- Wednesday, 25 January - Town Hall - 6.30pm. Any presentations
will be tailored towards residents living in Barnack, Bretton
North, Bretton South, Eye & Thorney, Fletton & Woodston,
Glinton & Wittering, Newborough, Northborough, Orton
Longueville, Orton Waterville, Orton with Hampton, Ravensthorpe,
Stanground East, Stanground Central and West. From 7.30pm at the
Town Hall, parish councillors in Peterborough will be able to have
their say on the Budget proposals.
When launched last week, the budget proposals
revealed how the Cabinet has committed to, as far as possible,
protect frontline services but the paper does include the reduction
of around 60 full time equivalent posts.
Proposals also include a council tax increase
of 2.95 per cent - equating to £32 per year for a Band D property.
The council still has one of the lowest council tax levels in the
country. Out of 56 unitary authorities, Peterborough has the fifth
lowest council tax.
The document explains how the government’s
offer of a grant enabling councils to freeze council tax this year
have been declined due to their detrimental impact on future
budgets. Freezing council tax this year would mean larger increases
in future years.
It also sets out significant investment
programmes in primary and secondary schools, affordable housing,
transport infrastructure and celebrations to mark the Diamond
Jubilee and the Olympic Torch relay.
Councillor
David Seaton, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “At this
stage what have been set out in the Budget document are proposals.
What we, as a Cabinet, want to do now is hear from as many people
as possible.
“As I’ve said previously, the funding gap we
have must be met and this always presents a range of choices and
decisions. This is a genuine opportunity for the people of
Peterborough to take part in a constructive debate on the future
shape of services.”
People can read the budget document on the city council’s
website or it can viewed at the receptions of the Town Hall and
Bayard Place, or at any of the
city’s libraries.
Ends.
Media contact: Andy Burrows, Corporate
Communications Specialist - telephone 01733 452550 or email:
andy.burrows@peterborough.gov.uk.