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Public’s chance to balance the books
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date online: 04 January 2010
Budget simulator to flag up priorities
OLDHAMERS can have their say on the council’s budget plans by visiting an online simulator.
Special software can be downloaded to allow residents to suggest their priority areas and balance the books.
The focus of the 2010/11 budget plan is to prepare for the financial challenges over the next two years and putting Oldham in a good position to make the most of national economic recovery.
Councillor Lynne Thompson, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “Last year, residents using the budget simulator told us that they wanted to maintain key services but keep their council tax down. That was achieved with an increase of 2.5 per cent — the lowest increase in Greater Manchester — but we also created a priority investment fund to then target an investment of £2.6m into the areas that people most often asked us to improve.
“Those included tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, improving the wider environment and frontline services, including roads, street cleaning and tackling fly-tipping.
”We are proposing that council tax should again rise by no more than 2.5 per cent in 2010/11 and are now asking residents to tell us which services they most want to see maintained and improved.
“This interactive software will show them the potential impacts and consequences of these choices, and the increased or reduced demands that could place on council tax.
“A number of saving proposals have already been put forward to set a balanced budget for the next financial year, but knowing if people think these are correct is vitally important — and it will be taken into account.
”After we have assessed residents’ feedback, we will unveil our final service spending plans in early February — plus outline plans for 2011/12 and 2012/3. These will go before full council on February 24.”
You can access the budget simulator either via the Oldham Council homepage at www.oldham. gov.uk or visit it direct at www.budgetsimulator.com/oldham/
Alternatively, residents can send their comments via email to Budget.Ch allenge@oldham.gov.uk or by writing to Budget Challenge, Oldham Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UG.
Comments
This is not a budget simulator; it is simply an electronic model for prioritising were the council tax is spent.
The simplest, way to balance the books is to get rid of the 30 or so council employee's who are earning £100,000 + per annum
oh dear! how much money did this cost?
im actually applying for a rebate in my council tax. failure to maintain the roads either in normal weather conditions or in the current snowy times means they're not doing their jobs properly and therefore shouldnt be paid the money they charge!
If I have this right, the council want us to plan the budget for the next 2 years. Do they not pay top Dollar for Financial experts to plan our fiscal future. This seems to me to be a means for the people who make the most noise and get online to get what they want from the budget.
Right lets see, Charlie Parker, Chief Exec £185,000 pa, assorted Assistant Chief Execs 5 x £120,000 pa, tier after tier of senior management £100,000 pa. Cut by 50% all salaries of management earning over £60,000 and if they don't like it then let them ply their trade in the private sector. £millions saved, simples!
Next year's budget:
1. Sell all parks and playing fields to supermarkets.
2. Increase rents for all charities.
3. Close a few schools.
4. Reduce the number of gritters.
5. Get rid of the books in libraries.
6. Put town centre parking up to £3 an hour.
7. Appoint 5 more assistant chief executives to help.
you can have your say ,but will they listen?
NO!
Have Your Say
Does it include the opportunity to list councillors' expenses and senior managers' posts as areas to make savings without affecting essential services?
By mikejh45 @ 04/01/2010 13:17:51