6:11pm Tuesday 31st August 2010
By James Nadal
ONLY 31 per cent of readers who voted in a Free Press poll say they will be taking part in the 'Bucks Debates' on spending cuts.
Cash strapped Buckinghamshire County Council will ask residents how it should save £64million over the next four years.
A series of meetings begins Thursday, which will run alongside an online discussion.
Sixty-nine per cent of those who voted (130) said they would not be taking part, while there were 58 votes for yes.
Deputy Leader Cllr Bill Chapple was buoyed by the figure, saying it would equate to 150,000 residents joining the debates.
“That's not bad actually, I think that's quite positive. If they all come along to the meetings they will be rather packed so I'm pleased about that.
“It's the same sort of number who actually go to to vote in the council elections. If they turn up I shall be very pleased.
“Of course, I doubt very much whether we will have 150,000 people it would be nice to think we would get 100 per meeting.”
He said: “The whole reason for doing these is to go out and listen to the public, the customers, not to dictate to them but see what they think.”
He admitted it would difficult to satisfy everyone if many differing views are given on where the axe should fall but hoped it would not be seen as just a “tick box exercise”.
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.
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 Bucks debate can be found via website below.
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