Budget consultation 2008 -09 results

This year the council undertook budget consultation with the public and stakeholders using an online “Budget Simulator”. More than 750 people took part throughout November. They used the simulator to find out about 15 areas of council spending and to decide how much to spend next year in each area and for the council’s overall budget.

Results:

There are a number of areas where there is a clear preference for any necessary budget savings – arts, culture and events, theatre and outdoor events, the museum and tourism.

Cabinet were informed that there are savings proposals for all these areas. Cabinet wil consider in the light of these results, whether further savings in these areas should be considered.

There are a few areas where there is some preference for increased expenditure – waste and recycling, street cleansing and enforcement and affordable homes and social housing.

Consultees were asked to make savings of at least £200,000 in the overall budget to keep the council’s increase in its Council Tax to no more than 5% (about £10 a year for a Band D Taxpayer). Few people managed to reduce the overall tax increase to less than 5% and the average increase was 6.4%.

For further information contact Derek Williamson - derekwilliamson@maidstone.gov.uk