Council seeking views on 2015 budget and future plans

The Council is embarking on two public consultations as it looks to fix down its budget priorities for the next tax year and work out its Corporate Plan for between 2015 and 2020.

Over the last four years the Council says it has delivered savings of more than £4m. It has done this through a radical restructuring exercise that lead to the creation of it's service arm, Access Selby. This the body says has helped it get the most out of its money.

Council Tax during this period has remained frozen or has been increased by the rate of inflation, but the Council says it still faces tough challenges ahead as Central Government continues to reduce their funding to local authorities.

Resulting from this pressure the Council's ruling Conservative exectuive recently voted to take forward proposals to increase to Council Tax by 2% from the start of April 2015. Should the increase be ultimately approved it would represent a figure that is double the current rate of inflation, as revealed by the Bank of England only yesterday, but would generate an additional £94,000 for the Council. 

Even if the Council does follow through with it's plans to raise Council Tax nexy year, it says it will still need to make another £1m worth of saving over the next three years if it is to balance the books. The budget consultation gives you the chance to review how they deliver their budget and take into account how they intend to spend money and where the savings should come from.

Meanwhile, the Council's new Corporate Plan will sets out the authority's vision of where it wants the district to be over the next five years.

It believes it's new proposals are will help make Selby a great place to do business and to enjoy life.

Under the plan, the authority says it will foster better inward investment opportunities for the district and will support local skilled people to be equipped to maximise their potential. It also wants to give residents more opportunities to lead more healthy, happy lives. It says it will do this by delivering more homes that meet the needs of our growing and ageing population.

At the same time it says it will build a stronger bonds with local communities throughout the area and help to empower people to create solutions and become involved in shaping the way the Council delivers services. Though some have voiced fears that this could be a reference to transferring some public services over to volunteer groups in a bid to save cash.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Crane (Con, SDC Brayton) explained, "I think it's really important that Selby District residents have their say on the Council's budget and future corporate strategic priorities. The decisions made today will influence the future of the District for people living and working here, as well as for our businesses. The consultation process is important part of us ensuring we're listening and learning from people.  The responses received will be considered when a final decision on the Budget and Corporate Plan is decided next February."

For further information on both the Corporate Plan and Budget consultations please click here.