Like many local authorities and businesses Stratford-on-Avon District Council is facing some tough decisions as it prepares next years budget.
In order to balance the books, savings of over £2million need to be found. The Councils Management Team is recommending to the District Council Cabinet reductions in service of £1.5 million and use of balances to cover the deficit.
Proposals include:-
- Reduction in grants to Joint Area Committees and the Voluntary Sector
- Shared services with other Councils
- Freezing and loss of vacant staff posts
- Withdrawing the Council newsletter, Your Review
"Detailed work has been ongoing to come up with options how to manage this position. Final decisions will be made in February as to the way ahead," says Paul Lankester, Chief Executive of Stratford-on-Avon District Council.
"The public sector is not immune to the economic problems with the Council very dependent on investments as the Government grants reduce and efficiency savings are made. We are being as open and honest as we possibly can be, but it will be inevitable that there will be a reduction in services in order to keep Council Tax rises to a minimum.
"This is a difficult time for everyone and we are going to have to look at different ways of delivering our services. For over a decade the Council has used interest received and returns from investments to keep Council Tax lower. Falls in interest rates therefore directly reduce one of the Councils income sources. So we have to look in depth at what the Council has to do, what it should do, and what it wants to do.
"With this worldwide financial crisis everyone is in a difficult position not just Councils, and the current financial position we find ourselves in is unprecedented in recent times. As well as previously relying on income investment, car parking usage is down and there has been a reduction in planning and land charges income, all of which supplement the Councils expenditure."
This Management Team report will be presented to the District Councils Cabinet on Monday 12 January for consideration.
Also on 12 January district residents are being invited to air their views at the annual budget consultation meeting taking place at the Councils headquarters in Stratford-upon-Avon on at 7pm.
- Currently standing at £123, the District Councils Band D Council Tax precept is amongst the lowest in England (Stratford-on-Avon District Council ranks 28th lowest amongst 238 district councils).
