Budget Cuts – Quiz the Leader at New Windmill Hall Tonight

Just a reminder that there is a public meeting tonight (25th September – 6.30pm) at the New Windmill Hall where the Leader and Chief Finance Officer can be quizzed on the proposed budget cuts as set out in the consultation. I would urge residents to attend with questions and points of clarification. The consultation also closes this Sunday, so please visit the web page to complete the survey (see below).

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With the Council facing a £37m funding gap over the next four years, a consultation on savings proposals was launched on 1st August.

Proposed savings need to be thought through properly and not introduced where they have failed elsewhere or have a highly detrimental effect on our community. The conservative council have now put forward a number of suggestions to close the gap, but haven’t provided any detail as to scope or risk, for example:

  • Close conveniences and rely on shops/restaurants to allow public usage
  • Reduce and/or close libraries
  • Make voluntary organisations and charities pay business rates
  • Turn off street lights during small hours
  • Increase car parking charges and expand resident parking permit schemes

These are just some of the general proposals that form part of a very light touch consultation which gives only a vague sense of a financial strategy.

The consultation and associated reports can be accessed HERE.

There will also be a consultation event at the New Windmill Hall on 25th September (6.30pm) which I would thoroughly recommend residents attend and ask questions.

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