issued January 17, 2012
A package of measures identifying
budget savings – as well as areas for increased income – has been
agreed by Richmondshire councillors to enable a balanced budget to
be set for next year.
Members of the Strategy Board have looked at
23 areas to help meet the predicted £777,000 deficit by
2013/14.
They included saving £120,000 through a review
of senior officer posts, changes to public toilet provision and
play area maintenance, removing grant aid to two partnerships,
switching off CCTV cameras, changes to winter green waste
collections and a reduction in the grant to the Richmondshire
Leisure Trust.
And they have been made as a result of
increased co-operation and partnership working with local parish
councils and communities.
Over the last few months wide ranging
consultation has taken place - particularly with parishes - as
councillors sought to find the savings but to minimise effect on
front line services. The savings are necessary as a
result of a 31% cut in grant aid from Central Government - £1.347
million.
Last week Board members finalised a package of
proposals which had already seen grant funding of £10,000 for the
Community Safety Partnership and £15,000 for the Strategic Forum
withdrawn from April; along with £18,000 to the Richmondshire
Leisure Trust to support community use at Richmond
School.
A new system for pest control has already been
launched – charging different rates for a variable range of
services – to make the service cost neutral. A new policy for
the running of children’s play areas will be adopted, the amount
spent on public toilets reduced by £54,000, car park charges
introduced into two areas currently free, eight car parks taken
over by local communities, and assets like playing fields, parks
and gardens transferred to the community.
"We have been forced by the huge reduction in
the grant from Central Government to make some difficult decisions,
much against the grain as our wish is to maintain and improve
services, but sadly necessary as we have to balance our
budget" said Council Leader, Councillor John Blackie.
"Our overriding objective has been to keep to the very minimum
the impact the savings package will have on services we
recognise are held in high regard by our local
communities. We have been successful because of the
spirit of co-operation and partnership demonstrated by Parish and
Town Councils in helping us share the challenge of meeting the
savings target, and I as Leader of the Council wish to commend
all the generous offers of assistance we have received
from them.
“Our approach of widespread, thorough and carefully
considered consultation with our local Councils has paid
a handsome dividend for the communities we all serve, in the
way of continuing services that might otherwise have been
under threat."
The package of savings will be discussed by full council next
month (February).
Print page