Budget comes under scrutiny
Budget proposals set out by Wyre Forest District Council's
Cabinet will be in the spotlight next week (Thursday 10 February
2011). The Authority's Corporate Resources Scrutiny Committee
is meeting to discuss the plans and to make recommendations to the
Cabinet.
The proposed net budget for 2011-12 is £13.4 million, a
reduction of £1.2 million or 8 per cent compared to the current
financial year.
The main budget proposals include freezing the District
Council's element of the council tax for 2011-12. The plans
also include making significant savings by reviewing how services
including the planning functions, revenues and benefits, waste
collection and support functions, are delivered.
Transferring assets and services to community groups, parish
councils and voluntary bodies in line with the 'Big Society' agenda
and the Localism Bill is also being considered.
In December the Scrutiny Committee set up a Budget Review
Panel. This cross party group was tasked with scrutinising
the Cabinet's proposals and considering alternative budget
proposals.
These options will be considered by the Corporate Resources
Scrutiny meeting along with alternative budget proposals from the
other political parties.
Chairman of the Corporate Resources Committee, Councillor Graham
Ballinger said,
"The Committee has a very important role to play in ensuring
that taxpayers are given value for money. All future plans
must be affordable and meet the needs of our residents. The
Review Panel has been taking a close look at the draft budget and
the priorities identified within them so we can consider all the
options and decide on any alternative recommendations.
We will also be looking at the new headquarters project and how
the projected savings of £500,000 can be made."
Recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee will be considered
by the Council's Cabinet at its meeting on 15th
February.
Both meetings are open to the public and start at 6pm at Duke
House, Clensmore Street, Kidderminster. More information on
this and other Council meetings, including agendas and papers is
available
here or call 01562 732928 and ask for Democratic Services.
Date of issue - 2nd February 2011