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You can fill in a budget survey on the city council's website
www.peterborough.gov.uk
which asks for your views on the investments
and efficiencies identified in the budget for 2010/11 and the
council's medium term financial plan.
Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for resources David
Seaton, said: "All councils and other public sector organisations
are facing unprecedented financial challenges. The Institute of
Fiscal Studies estimates that these reductions will total some £36
billion over the next few years. It is against this backdrop that we
consider our financial plans for the future.
“As well
as the likely cuts to our grants that we face, the council will also
be hit hard by the tax increases that the Chancellor has announced.
For example the increase in National Insurance, as well as taking
money out of the pockets of Peterborough residents and adding costs
to businesses in the city, will hit the city council with a bill of
£400,000 every year.
“Already
the council does not receive a fair grant settlement. The government
is keeping back £4 million of grant, which we should receive, to
help out other councils. It also does not recognise the city’s true
population level.
“Despite
this financial picture, here in Peterborough we remain committed to
creating a vibrant city which attracts people and stimulates the
economy, making our city better for everybody. We are proposing to
fund a number of investments that will improve the city for our
communities and for generations to come including:
-
Setting up a university project to ensure we maintain our
momentum to become a city with a great higher education offering
• Additional schools advisors to help improve secondary school
standards
-
Redevelopment of the John Mansfield Centre to provide a
community facility
-
Funding for neighbourhood councils to spend in their local areas
-
Wi-Fi
for the city centre
-
Investment into the delivery of our Environment Capital
priority, including grants for home improvement projects in the
city
“We have
only been able to balance this investment against our grant
shortfall due to the significant, award-winning Business
Transformation work we have carried out to make the organisation as
efficient as possible in recent years which has already delivered
savings of £23 million.
"Council
tax levels in Peterborough are currently among the lowest levels in
the country. Out of 56 unitary councils, Peterborough has the fifth
lowest council tax. For next year, we are proposing a 2.5 per cent
increase. This will raise about £1.5 million.
"However
it is vitally important that our communities feel that we have got
this balance right. That is why we are giving you the chance to have
your say in our budget consultation before the final budget
decisions towards the end of February.
“I urge
everyone to make their views known to support our final decisions. I
would like to mention that already we have started to present the
budget to our new Neighbourhood Councils which is a significant step
in improving local democracy and giving local people a say in their
future.
"The
survey is your chance to tell us whether the council is focussing on
the right areas and whether the decisions that we are proposing to
enable us to spend within our budget, are the best ones for the
city."
Copies of
the survey are available from the city council’s Town Hall and
Bayard Reception desks, libraries and The Destination Centre in
Bridge Street for those who do not have internet access. Please
return the form to: Strategic Finance, Peterborough City Council,
Manor Drive, Paston Parkway, Peterborough, PE4 7AP.
The
closing date for receipt of survey forms is Friday 22 January 2010.
The responses received during the consultation will be discussed at
the city council's next Cabinet meeting on Monday 8 February 2010.
Councillor
Seaton added: “As soon as this budget is approved, we will start
work to and plan for the financial climate ahead."
To
take the online survey -
click here
January 2010 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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