Chadlington Parish Council has just received the following letter from Chief Policy Officer for Oxfordshire County Council regarding the County Council Budget 2016/2017 – 2019/2020
County Council Budget 2016/17 – 2019/20
I am writing to give you an overview of the potential changes to the council’s budget. I have included a short briefing on our financial position and the council’s budget setting.
On 20 October, we launch a public consultation about 130 budget savings options that the council is considering. The savings options will be published on the council’s website for feedback and comment. We would welcome your and others’ feedback.
Although no decisions have been taken at this stage, the council believes it will need to find another £50m of savings on top of those already announced in previous years’ budgets.
I am sorry to have to advise you that the savings options that are being considered include a reduction in funding that the council makes to communities in particular through options to:
Library Savings
Cease funding of arts grants
Trading Standards management and enforcement review
Financial funding arrangements for Fire and Rescue Service cadet schemes.
Early Intervention Hubs/Children’s Centres.
Social and Community Service Day Services
Patching works
Highway drainage
Streetworks/ event management
Grass cutting and tree maintenance
Winter maintenance
Real time information for buses
Subsidised buses consultation proposals
Gully emptying
I would also like to assure you that Oxfordshire County Council is taking appropriate steps with the relevant organisations and have this week written to all potentially affected organisations in advance of publication of proposals on 20 October 2015.
To take part in the consultation after it starts on 20 October 2015, please go to: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/budget could you also publicise the message on annex 1 in your communications to residents?
from
Maggie Scott
Chief Policy Officer
Annex 1
County council looks for £50m savings
Oxfordshire County Council has launched a public consultation on options for saving money. It has already saved or has firm plans to save nearly £300m since 2010 but believes it needs to find another £50m of savings over the next four years. “The government is rightly reducing public spending to tackle the national budget deficit, which means we have to make some difficult decisions about council services,” says council leader, Cllr Ian Hudspeth.
As well as receiving less money from government, the council faces rising demand for services – particularly for vulnerable adults and children at risk of abuse and neglect. Already about half its budget is spent on 2% of the population of Oxfordshire, and that proportion is set to rise to three-quarters of the total budget as a result of a growing aging population.
The council is consulting the public before taking the decisions and delivering a balanced budget on 16th February 2016. Talking Oxfordshire, the council’s budget consultation, will start on 20 October, when all the savings options will be published on the council’s website. It will close on 30 November.
There will be three public events with an independent chair alongside the leader and chief finance officer to provide residents with a chance to find out about the council’s budget position and have their say. Comments will be collated as part of the feedback process.
The events are 7-8.30pm and dates are:
- 27 October – County Hall
- 2 November – Banbury Town Hall
- 5 November – Regal Centre, Wallingford
People need to register in advance to attend the event so the council can manage numbers. To register for an event or take part in the consultation online, go to www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/talkingoxfordshire
Hard copies of the budget consultation documents will also be available in every library.