Council tax rise will not exceed inflation, pledges Cheshire West & Chester Council leader

Dec 16 2009 Chester Chronicle

CHESHIRE West and Chester CouncilŠwill ensure the 2010-11 council tax rise does not exceed the rate of inflationŠ- it was revealed today (Thursday).

Council Leader Mike Jones makes thisŠpromise to over 140, 0000 council taxpayersŠin a budget consultation leaflet available toŠeveryone.

Cllr Jones wantsŠresidents to help influence how the council spends the cash raised from council tax and government grant.

“The currentŠeconomic climate has seen the demandŠfor many of our services increaseŠ whilst opportunities to recover costs have fallen” says Cllr Jones.“ŠWe also expect that funding from central governmentŠwill be reducedŠin future years, due to the well publicised situation.

“However we remain committed to ensuring the council tax rises do notŠexceed inflation whilstŠprotecting theŠmost vulnerable in our community – particulary those on fixed incomes. “

The budget leaflet will set out key proposalsŠto be considered as part of the budgetŠsetting – on February 25 – which will form part of the council’sŠtransitional processŠtowards its avowed aim to become one of the best local authorities in the country.

Efficiency saving totalling £35m - over £8m has already been reinvested - have already been made andŠ many of the key proposals areŠdesigned to help achieve another £30m over the next three years, by investing in technology and re-designing services toŠmaintain and improve standards at less cost.

Budget proposals will be available for comment from Thursday December 17 to Thursday, 29 January 2010.Š Full information can be found on the council’s website at: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/budgetconsultation.

Copies of the document are also available at council offices and libraries.ŠComments can be entered into the on-line questionnaire on the website, emailed to budgetconsultation@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or given over the phone by calling: 0300 123 8 123

Written comments can also be posted to: The Research Team, Cheshire West and Chester Council, County Hall, Chester, CH1 1SF before Thursday, 29 January 2010.ŠŠŠ

The CouncilŠŠis pledged to delivering value for money forŠits residents - despiteŠbeing faced by severe financial pressures and divides its response to this challenge into three main parts:-

Delivery ofŠfirst-class regeneration projects that meet the needs of our communitiesŠinŠdifficult economic timesŠ;

Execellent facilities and services for residents in the areas that they tell us are important, such as schools, roads, culture, leisureŠect.,

And finally continue to develop an efficient and modern Council. We are determined to drive down costs by removing duplication and improving our processes.Š

“Everyone uses Council services, from roads and recycling to schools and car parks so decisions on the council’s budget affect us all”. Said Cllr Les Ford, Executive Member , Finance and Resources.

“We’ve got some difficult decisions to make over the next few months and we would welcome ideas and opinions.”Šadded Cllr Ford

Added Cllr Ford: “We really want to know what local people think about how where and when we spend their council tax”.