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BUDGET FAIR 2012 Cllr David Bellotti Cabinet Member for Community Resources Meeting the Challenge. Residents Financial Position. Housing Costs and below average incomes Inflation and Cost of Living Supporting People into Work Growth and Jobs Raising the Age of Participation.
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BUDGET FAIR 2012 Cllr David Bellotti Cabinet Member for Community Resources Meeting the Challenge
Residents Financial Position • Housing Costs and below average incomes • Inflation and Cost of Living • Supporting People into Work • Growth and Jobs • Raising the Age of Participation
Council’s Financial Position • Significant improvements on finances already achieved • Earmarked Reserves provide flexibility • Council Borrowing –reduced from £204M down to £160M by 2015 • Reduce effect of Borrowing on Revenue • Council Tax Frozen in 2012/13, planned freeze going forward to 2015
Council’s Financial Outlook • Medium Term Service & Resource Plans for three year period 2013/14 to 2015/16 • Sufficient Reserves to fund Change Programme and Severance Costs • Use of Zero Based Budgeting and Service Prioritisation • Some unavoidable cost pressures and inflation • Maintain strong financial management • Spending to be reduced by £29M over 3 years
Council Vision • Promoting Independence and Positive Lives for Everyone • Creating Neighbourhoods where People are Proud to Live • Building Stronger Economy • Developing Resilient Communities
Prioritisation Principles • Making every effort to protect Frontline Services for Residents • Keeping Council Tax bills as low as possible • Investing in Economic Growth
On-going Investments from 2012/2013 • Radstock Regeneration • Keynsham Town Centre Scheme • Bath Transport package • London Road Regeneration Scheme • Beechen Cliff Woodland • 20m.p.h. schemes • Rossiter Road Scheme
New Investments 2013/2014 • Affordable Housing – further Allocation -£700K • Cycle Routes - £500K • Sydney Gardens -£500K • River Corridor -£100K • Biomass Projects - £500K • Enterprise area – Flood prevention works -£3M • Odd Down Playing Fields -£200K • Public Realm –Kingsmead Square etc - £339K • Haycombe Cemetry -£200K
Nailing Myths We Will Not Be: • Moving to Fortnightly Residual Waste Collections • Reducing Subsidies for Buses • Increasing the Eligibility for Adult Care Services to Critical Level • Closing Household Waste Recycling Sites
Opportunities • Development and Growth • New Homes Bonus • Localised Business Rates • Reducing role of Education post Academies • Public Health • Changes to Council Tax including Benefits and Discounts
Budget Proposals (1) Resources • Consolidate, Standardise, Simplify Support Services • Increase Commercial Estate Income • Reduce debt and audit costs • Property – restructure and actively manage • Democratic Services – reducing meetings • Progression of Tourist/Visitor Levy
Budget Proposals (2) People & Communities • Careers advice and guidance – schools have more responsibility • Targeted resources and improve value for money. • Homelessness – prioritised support • Adult Care – focus on prevention • Early Years – government funding changes • Partnership Working, particularly with Health
Budget Proposals (3) Place • Heritage Services – continuous improvement • Destination Management –prioritising resources • Public Conveniences – consolidation of sites • Public Protection – restructured • Libraries – encourage community hubs • Parking – targeted changes to pricing • Waste – maintain services by improved efficiency