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The financial challenges we are facing in Suffolk are significant,
but I’m determined that we must find a way to meet them while
protecting the services we all value.
But before we make any decisions about how we spend money and where
we make savings next year, I want to hear from you. During
September and October we gave you the opportunity to tell us what
services you most value and to hear about your ideas and
suggestions for the future.
Thank you to all those who took the time to share their views by
completing the survey.
We are now in a position to share with your the highlights from the
first stage of our budget consultation and talk about our budget
proposals.
I can’t pretend that difficult decisions won’t have to be made.
But, I want to ensure that the choices we make reflect not just my
views, or those of other councillors, but the values of people
across the county.
Cllr Mark Bee
Leader, Suffolk County
Council
Like many councils, Suffolk County Council is facing a difficult
financial challenge. A reduction in the amount of money we receive
from Government, along with increased inflation and demand for our
services, means that we have to find considerable savings. Last
year, we made savings of £43 million, but over the next two years
we need to save a further £50 million.
The council is already looking at how it can save money through
staffing re-structures and reducing back office costs. We will
continue to pursue the search for savings in these areas as far as
we can, but this may not be sufficient given the scale of savings
needed. To help us meet the challenge, in September and October, we
asked for your views on which council services matter most to
you. We also heard about your ideas and suggestions
on how the council could save money.
Please have a look at the resources below. These will
give you more information on what priorities the
council currently has and a great deal of
information about how much the council spends on
running individual services.
We have also included a link to our demographic
statistical data website, Suffolk Observatory.
Our second stage of consultation includes a series of
meetings to feedback what we heard from you in our survey as well
as an opportunity to hear our budget proposals.
You can download a copy of our 'Meeting the budget challenge'
here (PDF, 885kb)
Hard copies are also available at all libraries, children centres,
through parish and town councils and via your local
councillor.
2 November Scrutiny Committee papers can be accessed
here
24 November Scrutiny Committee papers can be
access
here
15 November news
release
Early county council budget savings proposals
published
We have organised a number of events
across the county during November and December.
This is your opportunity to hear what you and the rest of Suffolk
told us were the priorities for council spending in helping us
understand how we can make budget savings.
We need to make £50million savings
in the next two financial years and we’d like to share with you our
proposals for meeting that.
Events in Ipswich
Please note that in Ipswich we will
be attending the Area Forum meetings which are organised by Ipswich
Borough Council. They have kindly allowed us space on their agenda
to talk about our budget - we look forward to seeing you there -
there is no need to book your place.
| Town |
Location of Event |
Date |
Time |
| Ipswich |
Area Forum at Whitehouse Community Centre |
15/11/2011 |
11am |
| Ipswich |
Area Forum at Ransomes Sports and Social
Club |
16/11/2011 |
11am |
| Ipswich |
Area Forum at County Library (Old Foundry
Lane entrance) |
22/11/2011 |
11am |
| Ipswich |
Area Forum at Nansen Road Baptist Church |
24/11/2011 |
11am |
| Ipswich |
Area Forum at Bridge Ward Social Club, Austin
Street |
29/11/2011 |
11am |
Events outside of Ipswich
We welcome your views and questions at these free public events. To
help us make sure there is enough space at the venue we ask that
you register your interest and book a space by clicking on one of
the events listed below. Places are limited so book early to avoid
disappointment.
How will the consultation results be used
A final report which brings together all of the consultation
results will be produced in December for Cabinet and Full Council
to consider early in 2012.
The results will also be made available to the public at this
time.
When will decisions be made?
The final budget will be agreed by Full Council in February
2012. Prior to this, the budget will be considered by councillors
at a number of meetings. The consultation results will be fed into
this decision making process.
- 2 November - Scrutiny Committee – to provide political
challenge
- 24 November - Scrutiny Committee – to provide political
challenge
- End November - Likely to hear the provisional Local Government
Finance Settlement for 2012/13
- 24 January - Cabinet – to consider and recommend the budget to
February’s County Council
- End January - Final Local Government Finance Settlement 2012/13
known
- 9 February - County Council – to agree the budget
Scrutiny, Cabinet and full council meetings are all open to the
public to attend.
You can also
sign up to our GovDelivery email alert system which will allow
you to choose which services you want to receive email alerts
about when things change.