Budget Consultation 2008/09 - Feedback

Introduction

Can I first of all take this opportunity to thank you for attending the Budget Consultation evening.  This is a short note to let you know how the information gathered at the evening has been used and to respond to the unanswered questions that were asked on the evening.

How we have used your views

The following is an extract from a report that will be going to the Council Meeting on February 19th.  This report covers all aspects of the budget and it is at this meeting where the level of council tax will be approved.

5. Consultation

1. The annual meeting with residents was held on the 23rd January 2008. Over 600 people from local groups, head teachers, industrialists, and the general public were specifically invited. Adverts were placed in the local press, the Tameside website and on Tameside Radio.  Posters were displayed in all local libraries and invitations were also distributed at District Assembly meetings.  People came to Ashton Town Hall to learn about the Council's spending plans and the possible Council Tax level for 2008/2009.  After presentations by the Executive Leader and the Borough Treasurer, discussions took place in groups and residents were asked to consider how they would allocate funding for additional spending and to comment upon the proposed increases in Council Tax.
   
   
2. Group discussions confirmed support for the Council's key priorities, Children and Young People, appearance of the borough, public safety and combating crime and stimulating the economy to produce more and better jobs.
   
   
3. There was a general consensus in the group discussions that people wished to see an increase in the number of facilities and more activities arranged for younger people to keep them off the streets.
   
   Some of the other comments included:
   
   
   • Increased Police presence.
   • Increased number of Patrollers dedicated to specific areas rather than being spread too thinly so that local knowledge can be gained.
   • Invest in Brownfield Sites to generate money to help the environment.
   • Agreement with recycling but it needs to be checked and collected regularly.  One idea was to introduce smaller recycling bins that could be used in the home.
   • Review weekend speed limits on the road. 
   • Provide transport to and from day care.
   • Continue investment in the appearance of the borough including Britain in Bloom. 
   • Additional support for voluntary groups working with communities, including the need for longer term funding to enable better planning.
   • Invest in the road network and infrastructure to help deal with the increased congestion caused by the construction of new housing developments.
   • Invest in renewable energy sources such as Hydropower. 
   
   
4. The majority of areas raised by those who attended have already been identified within the Council's own priorities.  All of the comments and suggestions made by the public have been noted and these will be actively considered in the new financial year.
   
   
5. An increase in the Council Tax level was generally expected and accepted as necessary to achieve a consistent level of service.  The majority of people attending felt that an increase of approximately 3% for the Council's element of the Council Tax, which would be within Government increase guidelines was fair and appreciated that the level had remained consistent over recent years.

Questions

The following is a brief response to the unanswered questions that were asked on the evening:

• How much would it cost to have a part-time Librarian in the library in Ryecroft Hall?
  
  Answer:
  It would cost approximately £8,955 a year including on-costs to employ a Librarian working 18 hours per week.
   
• What will be the effect of the congestion charge to Tameside e.g. admin costs, etc. if it happens?
  
  Answer:
  The bid for Transport Innovation Fund monies is an in principle bid and the detail will only be worked out following government approval of the bid.  I would hope that any administrative costs will be covered by income, and appropriate agreements would need to be in place.
  
  
• To what value is the revenue received from parking charges?
  
  Answer:
  The revenue received from parking charges for 2006/07 is as follows:
  
    Pay & Display Income  £1,374,851
    Contract Income £154,127
  
  NB 2006/07 figures have been used as this is the last complete financial year.
  
  
• What is the level of private investment required in the budget?  How is it encouraged?
  
  Answer:
  The Council does not have an overall target level of private investment in compiling its annual revenue budget.  However the Council is continuously looking for external funding, albeit private or public, to increase the amount of money it has available to spend for the benefit of its residents.
  
  Some examples of where the Council obtains income from the private sector are from shops and businesses in Ashton town centre, vehicle maintenance, rents from use of buildings, and scheme developments.

Once again, thank you for your participation.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Budget Consultation Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 3862