Cheshire East Council has published its Pre-Budget Consultation Report for 2019-2022.
Meanwhile, Cheshire West and Chester Council has invited residents, businesses and community groups to share their views on its 2019-2020 budget proposals.
We’ve provided details below…
Cheshire East Council
Set against a backdrop of increasing demand and rising costs, Cheshire East Council’s Pre-Budget Consultation Report sets out proposals on the authority’s financial plans for how services will be delivered for the period from 1st April 2019 through to 31st March 2020.
The council says that, along with almost every other local authority, it is facing a challenging financial position with the reduction of central government funding.
Cheshire East Council is inviting opinions and views to help it inform the budget-setting process.
Cllr Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for finance and communications, said: “In response to the difficult ongoing national funding situation and demographic change, the council is firmly committed to protecting the delivery of essential frontline services for children and families, adult social care and for our most vulnerable residents.
“But we must also look at our priorities and where we can make savings and operate more efficiently.
“This might mean that some existing services provided will be reduced or delivered in a different way in the future.
“We are fortunate here in Cheshire East that the local economy is strong and growing.
“We have to ensure communities feel the benefit of that economic growth for the longer term and that is why we are working for a brighter future together with our residents and partners.”
To have your say, please go to: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/budget
The consultation runs until 14th December and findings will be considered before the final budget is agreed by full council on 21st February 2019.
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s six-week public consultation opened on Monday (22nd October) and closes on 2nd December.
Its 2019-20 budget consultation is called ‘Delivering Your Priorities’.
The council says the theme reflects a continued focus on delivering services that residents said were important back in 2016, when the existing four-year budget plan was formed.
Cllr Samantha Dixon, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, commented: “The challenge of supporting vulnerable children, families and adults continues to grow beyond expectations and is placing more pressure on the budget.
“Most of our proposals from the 2016-20 Budget Plan are on track, but circumstances continue to change and small adjustments need to be made.
Cllr Dixon continued: “Government funding reductions, at a time of escalating costs, are forcing some councils into severe financial difficulties.
“I’m glad to say we are not in this position because we have taken a planned and prudent approach, which was informed by your priorities.
“We want to continue this discussion and ensure we are focusing on the things that matter to local people.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council said it has had to make up a £57 million gap in its budget by 2020 by finding efficiencies and innovative ways of delivering services.
It added that significant savings have been achieved already – for example by saving £2.4 million in administrative efficiencies and £1.9 million in contract reviews and renegotiations.
There are 11 proposals that have not been subject to previous consultation.
The council is also asking residents to comment on themes that will help shape its next four-year plan (2020-24). It wants to hear from as many people as possible before it makes its decision on the budget.
The results will be published in February so local people can consider how their views have influenced decisions.
Full information is posted on the council’s website, and people can participate in a number of ways:
– Online: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/deliveringyourpriorities20192020
– Email: yourpriorities@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
– Call: 0300 123 8 123 and quote ‘delivering your priorities consultation’
– Write: Delivering Your Priorities, Insight and Intelligence Team, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Council Offices, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BE
– Social media: @Go_CheshireWest (Twitter) or Cheshire West and Chester Council (Facebook)
