Public chance to discuss council's financial plans

Date published: 30 November 2011

Residents are invited to meet the council’s “top brass” to discuss their three-year savings plans.

The event takes place on Wednesday 7 December in Bury’s Mill Gate centre, in the former Thomas Cook office in the Haymarket, from 10am to 3pm.

In attendance will be Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, and the deputy leader, Cllr John Smith. Members of the council’s executive will also be there during the day, along with some of the council’s most senior officers.

Cllr Connolly said: “This time, we’re doing something entirely new – looking at our budgets over the next three years, during which time, due to Government cuts in our grant, we will have to find savings of nearly £18 million. Before drawing up this plan, we held an extensive period of consultation with residents, during which over 3,500 of them came forward to tell the council what its spending priorities should be.

“This is completely different from the past, when the council would budget from one year to the next, worrying everyone by releasing a List A and B of cuts merely weeks before the budget was set.

“Can I emphasis that nearly two-thirds of those savings will be found from internal efficiencies, and other proposals – such as those affecting libraries, leisure and highways maintenance – would only start in 2013, subject to the outcome of reviews next year. Absolutely no decisions about those services have yet been taken.

“We feel that our three-year plan is a much more open and transparent way of doing things than ever before. It is also much fairer, both for Bury residents who use our services, and for our staff who provide them.”

Councillor John Smith, executive member for finance, said: “The proposals are already being discussed at public meetings such as the borough’s Township Forums, and we are planning further opportunities. But we felt it was important to give people a chance, in a central location, to meet us and hear about the proposals, especially for those who cannot attend meetings during the evening.

"Please come along to the Mill Gate next Wednesday, pop in and look at our plans, tell us your views, get clarification on any concerns you and help play a part in how best the council can deliver much-valued public services over the next three years.”

Other ways to Have Your Say:
1) View the proposals online at www.bury.gov.uk/planforchange  
2) Email planforchange@bury.gov.uk  
3) Write to Plan for Change, Bury Council, Knowsley Street, Bury BL9 0SW.
4) Call 0161 253 7931.
5) Attend a public meeting or Township Forum meeting – details are at www.bury.gov.uk/planforchange