News story
You help us choose – Council’s Budget consultation goes interactive
Released on 24 January 2012
We have already saved £748,000 in the last year ensuring we deliver a balanced budget in a businesslike and efficient way, and this has helped keep Council Tax low and affordable
Councillor Garry Wheatley
Residents in South Norfolk are being urged to join a Budget consultation by going online and suggesting their own savings and service priorities.
The District Council is preparing its Budget for next year, and has launched its online consultation so residents can “play with the figures” and suggest their own savings, efficiencies and which services they consider priorities for spending.
The consultation at https://youchoose.yougov.com/SouthNorfolk ends on Friday 3 February.
Councillor Garry Wheatley, South Norfolk Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources said:
“These are difficult times and we know we were elected to make the right decisions for everyone, but it does help to receive ideas from our residents even if it is sometimes an endorsement of our decisions so far.
“We have already saved £748,000 in the last year ensuring we deliver a balanced budget in a businesslike and efficient way, and this has helped keep Council Tax low and affordable.
“Now there is a great opportunity for our residents to contribute to the discussions we are having right now on the Budget for next year and play with the figures to see if they can help us find savings of just over £1m.
"It's a tough call, but we are confident they can help us do this."
Every year, central Government funds a large part of district council revenue spending through grants. But the worst recession in living memory has meant big cuts across the country, and South Norfolk is no exception.
South Norfolk Council is assuming it will face a cut of almost £4m in grants by 2014/15.
This figure is based on assumptions the Council has to make about inflation, pensions, income levels and Government grants along with the state of its general reserves - which are strong.
In 2011/12, the Council made savings of £748,000 to balance the budget. For 2012/13, it must find £1,045,000. This is where residents can help.
Their responses will help the Council find out where money can be saved and what are residents’ service priorities.
As residents make their online decisions and choices – they will see instantly the financial effects. The consultation also asks for any other ideas on where savings can be made.
Related pages
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Communications Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | communicationsteam@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533611 / 01508 533983 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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