Telford & Wrekin Council Watch - Residents Give Support To budget

Residents Give Support To budget

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Written by John Franklyn

Tuesday, 26 February 2008

Residents have given 'high levels of support' to Telford & Wrekin Council’s proposed budget for the next three years.

This is shown in the results of a consultation on the draft budget the Council has published.

*The Consultation was for up to 1000 residents who apply to be on the community panel and selected if they fit a certain criteria

Since the draft budget was unveiled in January, it has been developed and informed by extensive community consultation.

This has included a major survey of the Council’s Community Panel of more than 1,000 residents and other people who have signed up to ‘get involved’ in Council consultations.

*I have signed up to get alerts about consultations on the councils web site and in 18 months never received one alert, notification, consultation.

Other ways the public’s views have been sought are a web-site questionnaire and ‘Council Tax Challenge’; a Question Time event attended by almost 200 people at The Place, Oakengates, and a similar breakfast question and answer session for local businesses.

*Out of 200 attending, not all received a hand set to cast a vote

There have also been meetings with community groups such as the Senior Citizens Public Forum and Telford & Wrekin Council for Voluntary Service Executive.

*When the Senior Citizens were asked if they trusted the Council only 4 said yes with one later changing their mind.

Findings from the consultations will be considered by the Cabinet on 25 February as it looks to finalise its budget plans. Key messages from the Community Panel consultation include:

· 88% of people agree that the Council has identified the right priorities for extra investment

· 93% support the proposed package of investment

· 72% support the proposed 4.3% Council Tax increase for 2008/09. 57% supported this at the Question Time event

· 78% are satisfied with the way the Council is running things and planning the Borough’s future.

*How Many of the questionnaires sent out were returned and how do the Council account for additional written comments made by the individual or are they just ignored.

Council leader Andrew Eade said: “These results are very positive. As we have developed our budget proposals over the past five months, we’ve made great efforts to consult and involve local people, community groups and businesses.

*Consultation is still at best poor with the questions asked being very leading.

“As a result, I believe that we are putting forward a Budget that has broad support because it will benefit the borough.

*Broad support based on narrow consultation levels and leading questions

“I believe it is a budget that’s good for young people, older people and families. It is good for the future of our borough towns, deprived estates and our rural areas. It is good for schools and local businesses.

*When will the closed youth clubs be opened. Where is community youth support at the times they are needed for a wider age group. Does a new shopping centre make a deprived estate better?

“While the overall support is very positive, there are also some issues where we are being asked to review our proposals.

*What issues are these, is it the weekly bin collections, with drawing from the City region, not selling chunks of the Town Park, giving residents a voice at full council, doing less policy U turns, keeping pre-election promises.

“When our cabinet considers these, I think people will see that we do not just consult, we are a cabinet that listens and strives to do the right things for the community.”

*How can they see, when you don’t tell them.

Ie:- why hasn’t the Cabinet Member for environment answered the questions about Stoney Hill?

Still too many questions not answered!!

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