Event to hear peoples’ views on Council's budget proposals
A major public consultation event on Telford & Wrekin Council’s budget takes place on 16 January at The Place @ Oakengates Theatre.
Anyone is welcome at the session which runs from 6pm – 7.30pm, which will gather people’s views on the Council’s budget proposals.
At the event people will be invited to visit a range of interactive stands and give their views, including on the areas the Council is protecting and investing in, at the head of which are its moves to attract new jobs and growth to the borough, such as the Southwater development and making the borough more business friendly.
There will also be information for anyone who will see their benefit entitlements reduce as a result of changes in Government Housing benefit and changes that the Council is having to make to council tax benefit when the Government reduces the grant it gives to councils for this by 10 per cent from April.
The Council is proposing to increase council tax, which is the third lowest in the region, by 1.9% in 2013/14, equivalent to a 32p per week increase for the average borough Band B home. This follows widespread consultation with local people last year that showed a majority in favour of increasing council tax by 2.5%.
There will also be details on how the Council has saved £42 million over the last four years such as cutting around 850 posts, cutting senior management by over half, reducing Council office space by a third and why Telford and Wrekin should receive a fairer deal from Government to help close its funding gap.
Anyone who wants to come to the event to help manage numbers should contact the Council by emailing yourviewsmatter@telford.gov.uk or calling 01952 382131.
Cllr Bill McClements, cabinet member for Resources and Service Delivery, said: “Our budget plans state very clearly what we want to do to create jobs and growth in the borough.
“As a co-operative council involving local people in our decisions and listening to local peoples is vital to what we do and our budget consultation is open until February 10.
“I hope that as many people as possible will come along and give us their views on our budget proposals and if people have new suggestions or alternatives then we will welcome these.”
