Published: Friday 23rd September 2016 | 6.22pm
Cannock Chase Council’s public consultation launches today to hear opinions and views of the future of Council services in the District from residents, businesses, community groups and visitors.
This follows the recent announcement that the Council faces a funding deficit that peaks at £2.15m in 2018/19 and the launch of the Council’s Financial Recovery Plan.
The financial recovery plan provides the background information and potential savings options that Council Officers have identified. The savings options total £2.1m per annum and are in excess of the £1.6m minimum saving requirement. This means that a meaningful consultation can take place on the options to achieve a saving of £1.6m.
An animated video has also been produced to inform residents of the challenges faced by the Council.
The six week consultation starts today (23 September) and asks for opinions on options to increase income, reduce services and explore further shared services with other local authorities.
The survey can be completed via our website, in person or on paper. There will also be a number of public meetings held throughout the consultation period where local people can come along and complete the survey.
The closing date for responses is 6 November 2016, after which the results of this consultation will feed into a draft budget for consultation in December 2016, to be implemented from April 2017.
Councillor George Adamson, Leader of the Council said: “The Council is facing the most difficult financial position ever. This is despite achieving £4.2m savings in recent years from partnerships with Stafford Borough Council, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and reductions in management and administration costs.
The complete removal of Government grant funding by 2019, the loss of business rates from the closure of Rugeley Power Station and the probable loss of £400,000 from the New Homes Bonus scheme combined means that the Council now has to make some difficult decisions to balance the books from the next financial year.
I am determined that this process will be open, transparent and a genuine consultation on which options the Council should select. I encourage everybody to get involved in this consultation and let us know your views.
This consultation gives local people the chance to have their say in the future of Cannock Chase and the District Council. “
You can complete the survey, by clicking the link below: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/budgetconsultation
To view the animated video, click the link below: http://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/council/financial-information
To view the Financial Recovery Plan, click the link below: http://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/council/meetings/agendas-reports-minutes/102/2016-09-22