BUDGET CUTS: tell us what to axe, says council

Rotherham Borough Council has again claimed its commitment to front-line services, but asked for pointers about where savings should be made.

Chief executive Martin Kimber said: “This council has a real pedigree of listening to local people.

“The Cabinet and leader in particular really want to do their best to ensure that the council provides the right services at the right level.

“We can take whatever you say into account when the council comes to set the budget later this year. We are using a whole range of mechanisms to allow people to have their say.”

Residents can e-mail their thoughts, take part in online questionnaires and even text their thoughts about which services could be pruned.

Cllr Ken Wyatt, Cabinet member for resources, said: “I think it’s important for the public to have a say.

“There’s no point in beating about the bush—there’s a limited amount of finance available to provide services.

“We need to make every pound work as hard as possible. I think it’s important that people feel that they are a part of that process.

“We will feed your views into the process,” he added. “Let’s have a look at the ideas that come forward.

“I can’t promise that we will follow them all up, but at least you can help shape the work going ahead to form our budget.”

The council conceded last week that up to 100 council jobs would go due to the budget slashing but dismissed union claims that the total could reach 1,000.

Cllr Wyatt said that the budget consultation was important because the services being provided were crucial to the lives of the borough’s citizens.

He added: “Think about education, think about how we educate young people, help them to find better jobs, or to find work at all.

“We look after safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and also help to improve the environment.

“All these things cost money and it’s important that we people understand that there’s only a certain supply. We’ve got to try and make our resources work as effectively as possible.”

Cllr Mahroof Hussain, Cabinet member for community development, equalities and young people, said: “These are very challenging times for local authorities across the country and especially here in Rotherham.

“We can’t just mess about with the edges, we need to make fundamental changes and this is a great time for us to start to ask the public what are their key issues and concerns.

“What is it that you want to see protected, what do you think can be slightly reduced?

“This issue isn’t going to go away today, we are talking about the next three or four years when we will be facing difficulties. We want the community to be on board when we are making the changes.”

To send your views, email: [email protected], visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/info/200110/council_budgets_and_spending or ring or text: 07717 423449.

Rotherham Borough Council has again claimed its commitment to front-line services, but asked for pointers about where savings should be made.

Chief executive Martin Kimber said: “This council has a real pedigree of listening to local people.

“The Cabinet and leader in particular really want to do their best to ensure that the council provides the right services at the right level.

“We can take whatever you say into account when the council comes to set the budget later this year. We are using a whole range of mechanisms to allow people to have their say.”

Residents can e-mail their thoughts, take part in online questionnaires and even text their thoughts about which services could be preened.

Cllr Ken Wyatt, Cabinet member for resources, said: “I think it’s important for the public to have a say.

“There’s no point in beating about the bush—there’s a limited amount of finance available to provide services.

“We need to make every pound work as hard as possible. I think it’s important that people feel that they are a part of that process.

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“We will feed your views into the process,” he added. “Let’s have a look at the ideas that come forward.

“I can’t promise that we will follow them all up, but at least you can help shape the work going ahead to form our budget.”

The council conceded last week that up to 100 council jobs would go due to the budget slashing but dismissed union claims that the total could reach 1,000.

Cllr Wyatt said that the budget consultation was important because the services being provided were crucial to the lives of the borough’s citizens.

He added: “Think about education, think about how we educate young people, help them to find better jobs, or to find work at all.

“We look after safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and also help to improve the environment.

“All these things cost money and it’s important that we people understand that there’s only a certain supply. We’ve got to try and make our resources work as effectively as possible.”

Cllr Mahroof Hussain, Cabinet member for community development, equalities and young people, said: “These are very challenging times for local authorities across the country and especially here in Rotherham.

“We can’t just mess about with the edges, we need to make fundamental changes and this is a great time for us to start to ask the public what are their key issues and concerns.

“What is it that you want to see protected, what do you think can be slightly reduced?

“This issue isn’t going to go away today, we are talking about the next three or four years when we will be facing difficulties. We want the community to be on board when we are making the changes.”

To send your views, email: [email protected], visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/info/200110/council_budgets_and_spending or ring or text: 07717 423449.

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