Scarborough Borough Council

Consultation begins on budget proposals

An annual consultation has begun which allows residents to have a say on detailed budget proposals put forward by Scarborough Borough Council.

A reduction in Government grant funding has forced the council to look at cutting more than £2 million from the budget in the next financial year alone.

However, the proposals for 2011/12, which will be approved by Full Council in February, will see front line services protected and popular measures suggested by residents in the Local Area Budget Survey last year, adopted by the council.

Almost 1,500 responses to the survey were received by the council, with the local authority determined to show the link between what people asked for and the final proposals put forward this week.

Strategic Director Hilary Jones said: “Cuts in government funding have meant that this year has been exceptionally tough for all councils across the country and we are no exception.

“Difficult decisions are needed to bridge the gap between the level of government grants, the increases in the cost of services and additional duties placed on us.

“However, I believe the proposals that have been put forward are fair and minimise the impact as much as possible on services for residents and our staff. They also reflect many of the views expressed by residents who took part in the Local Area Budget Survey.

“We would now like to hear what residents think of the final budget proposals we are now putting forward.”

The proposals set out by the council for the 2011 to 2012 year include:

• A proposed revenue budget for 2011/12 of £17,896,565
• A draw from General Fund Reserves of £250k in 2011/12
• A proposed increase in the recommended level of the General Fund Reserve range from £1.5-£2m to £2m-£2.5m, reflecting the additional risk in future year budgets following cuts in grant funding
• Proposed efficiency and savings proposals of £2,264,880
• No proposals to cut front line services
• Additional ongoing investment in priority areas of £403,550 despite significant cuts in government grant funding
• One off investment (in 2011/12 only) totalling £233,700
• A proposed Council Tax freeze
• Proposed capital expenditure of £925,000 for new schemes, a further £1.8 million for Invest to Save schemes, £579,000 for vehicle and equipment replacement and £378,000 for IT schemes.

There a number of ways in which residents can find out more information about these proposals and also give feedback to the council on what they think should be the council’s spending priorities.