Residents to have their say on council budget cuts

Councils across the country are facing tough times ahead and Caerphilly county borough council is asking local people to have their say about where they think cuts should be made.

The authority is seeking to engage the local community and spark a genuine debate about the way the authority's budget can be reduced over the coming years.

The budget setting process is a complex and emotive issue for local government as any budget reductions directly affect frontline services such as education, social services, highways, public protection and refuse collection.

Caerphilly council is asking residents to give their views by completing a special survey that will appear in the October edition of Newsline – the council's monthly newspaper delivered to every property in the area. You can also complete the survey online.

A postal survey is also being sent to over 1,000 local people who are members of the council's Viewpoint Panel, a group of residents from across the community who are regularly consulted about council services and policies.

Cllr Colin Mann (pictured), CCBC cabinet member for resources said, "This is part of a wide range of ongoing consultations about budget issues. Councillors and senior managers have also been involved in the process and we have challenged them to put forward ideas on how efficiencies can be made whilst keeping any impact on frontline services to a minimum. All the feedback we receive will be used to help us prepare the budget report in early 2010. Councillors will of course have the final decision on the budget and council tax levels, but we feel the views of local people are an important consideration in any decisions that we take."

"The Welsh Assembly Government has already advised the council that the funding they provide for services will be reduced in real terms over the coming years. The council recognises that we have tough choices to make, but we will listen to the people and ensure we have robust financial management arrangements in place to steer us through the tough times ahead" he added.