Cheshire West and Chester’s Conservative Opposition is urging residents to respond to the borough council’s financial consultations as it believes these will have ‘significant impacts’ on local communities.
The consultations by the Labour run council are ‘Let’s Talk’ on the council’s plan and budget proposals for 2016 - 2020 and ‘New Homes Bonus’ which specifically involves those areas of the borough which have town and parish councils.
The ‘Let’s Talk’ consultation ends on Wednesday, January 6 with full details at
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your_council/consultations_and_petitions/council_consultations/lets_talk.aspx
Among the proposals within the full 32 page document are an increase in cremation fees, a reduction in the community safety team which deals with anti-social behaviour, a reduction in the number of borough councillors, cutting the member budgets which local councillors have for use on community projects and initiatives and developing a new car parking strategy.
A new approach
The Conservatives point out this states: “A new approach will be developed that meets the needs of those who live, work and visit the borough. It will also consider how parking can support wider objectives around reducing congestion and enhancing local economic growth.
“Specific changes may include new payment technology to make paying for parking more convenient, implementing new enforcement measures and introducing charges in areas of the borough that currently do not levy a charge.
“Any income will be reinvested back into the service and will enable the council to reduce its current costs. Overall this may save up to £1.5 million.
“This proposal will be subject to further work and consultation.”
New Homes Bonus
In addition to this, the New Homes Bonus consultation which ends on Tuesday February 5 involves the proposed withdrawal of monies town and parish councils at present receive from new properties built in their areas.
The Conservatives explain: “In essence the ‘New Homes Bonus’ is an amount paid by central government to local councils when new houses are built.
“CWAC currently keeps 80% to pay for services centrally and passes 20% of these monies from each new house to the parish where that house is built for the town or parish council to use for community purposes.
“The removal of such funding therefore could have a considerable impact on town and parish councils as all 100% of the funding would then be held centrally by CWAC.”
This consultation is at http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your_council/consultations_and_petitions/council_consultations/new_homes_bonus_consultation.aspx.
Commenting on the ‘Let’s Talk’ consultation council Leader Cllr Samantha Dixon (Lab) says: “This is an important consultation that affects every resident of the borough and will really shape the future of West Cheshire.
“We are determined to deliver the best possible services to improve the quality of life for all residents. We have to make difficult choices about what the council protects, does differently, or even stops doing altogether during this consultation.
“We are coming to the end of the public consultation period for our residents to influence how we operate and deliver services for the next four years and ensure that our priorities are aligned with the priorities of those we are here to serve.
“What is crucial is that every pound we spend improves the lives of residents, so it is vital that these decisions are shaped by our residents.”
The council’s budget meeting takes place in February 2016.
