6:00am Saturday 28th August 2010
By James Nadal
A CASH strapped council wants residents to help it work out how to save £64million over the next four years - starting next week.
The first of a series of public meetings dubbed the ‘Bucks Debate’ begin on Thursday.
They will give taxpayers an 'interactive' platform to have their say on where the axe should fall.
Conservative controlled Buckinghamshire County Council must find ways to close a £27m funding gap and make reductions ahead of budget cuts from Government.
Up to 500 jobs are to be axed and the council faces around a 25 per cent reduction in its funding.
The new Government has pledged to freeze council tax for at least one year – giving authorities no choice but to make cuts and savings.
Already a raft of cuts totalling £9.2million have been voted through in August's emergency budget.
These have taken immediate effect and cover residential care for OAPs, alcohol treatment and domestic violence programmes, the Connexions schools career service and child protection.
Buckinghamshire County Council leader Cllr David Shakespeare explained why immediate action was vital during the meeting, saying BCC was “on course to spend £12m of council tax payers’ money that we haven’t got.”
A further £3million of cuts could also be on the cards.
Opposition Lib Dems said it was the wrong time to start the cuts.
Cllr Mary Baldwin, the Liberal Democrat group leader, said it should wait until October - when the Government publishes its Comprehensive Spending Review.
This will set the tone for public spending in the years to come.
Cllr Baldwin said the process was “flawed”.
Further cutbacks will have to take place over the next four years, totalling about £64million.
Roadshows, public meetings and an online debate have all been set up to gather as many opinions on where the savings can be made.
Deputy Leader Cllr Bill Chapple insisted the input of residents was vital and urged everyone to contribute.
"I cannot emphasis too strongly the need for residents to get involved with the Bucks Debate. I really believe in people power,” he said.
"This Council has got to make some tough decisions in the coming months, and it's important we have a sound understanding of public opinion to shape those decisions."
The first two meetings are due to take place on Thursday at Royal Latin School, Buckingham, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and Friday at Great Marlow School, Marlow, from 7pm to 9pm.
More information about the meetings and other ways you can contribute to the cuts debate can be found via the link below.
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