Published: Thursday 15th December 2016 | 5.25pm
Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved the savings options report at its meeting last night.
The report was to consider the feedback received from residents, stakeholders and members of the community, following a six week long consultation on the Council’s financial recovery plan.
Items that were recommended to be withdrawn from the process are: to cease to operate the CCTV service or reduce its operating hours; stopping floral displays in town centres; and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) grant will not be reduced, with the Council looking to assist the Bureau with relocation and property costs to reduce expenditure. Also Green Flag Awards and the capacity for processing housing benefit and council tax claims.
The report has also recommended that Hednesford (one day per week) and Rugeley Area Offices (two days per week) be kept open for a period of twelve months to trial their viability and usage by residents living in Hednesford and Rugeley.
There will now be a further consultation for members of the public to view the recommendations Cabinet have made and have their say on the overall Budget for the next three years.
Cabinet will review the comments and views submitted during the four week consultation period before submitting their final report recommended to Council in January 2017. Council will have a special budget meeting in February 2017.
Councillor George Adamson, Leader of the Council said “The Council’s Cabinet have listened to what members of the public have said and have taken this feedback into account when making their recommendations on what should stay, what should go and any increases that need to be made.
One of the considerations put forward for recommendation is an increase in the District element of the Council tax, for residents of the Cannock Chase District of 1.95%, this would equate to less than 7 pence per household, per week.
However this is not the end of the process, please let us know your views by completing the short survey online or on paper, this will be a further four week consultation process before the final report is submitted to Council for a decision in February 2017.
I would like to thank everyone that has taken the time to fill in the survey, participated in the telephone survery, or come to one of the consultation meetings and had their say.”
The draft budget consultation will run from Friday 16 December until Sunday 15 January 2017. Members of the public can complete the survey online via www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/budgetconsultation and paper copies are available in the Civic Centre reception, area offices, local libraries and leisure centres. You can also email your comments to policy@cannockchasedc.gov.uk before the end of the consultation.