Council extends consultation on Plan for Change for further three weeks

Residents have another three weeks until 31 January to make their views known about the council’s Plan for Change.

Revised forecasts mean that the authority will have to find around £26 million of budget savings by 2015.

Four public meetings have also been arranged at which people can listen to the proposals and make comments:

* Friday 11 January, at 6pm – Elizabethan Suite, Bury Town Hall

* Saturday 12 January, at 2pm - Ramsbottom Civic Hall

* Sunday 13 January, at 11am - Longfield Suite, Prestwich

* Sunday 20 January, at 2pm - Radcliffe Civic Suite

Presentations will also be given to the upcoming round of Township Forum meetings.

The Plan for Change can also be read online www.bury.gov.uk/planforchange. Comments can be emailed to planforchange@bury.gov.uk, sent to Plan for Change, Bury Council, Knowsley Street, Bury BL9 0SW, or you can call 0161 253 7931.

Councillor John Smith, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for corporate affairs, said: “The council is going through unprecedented budget pressures, as outlined in the Plan for Change. We want to keep the public of Bury informed as we develop a range of savings options, so we have decided to extend the consultation by three weeks until 31 January so that everyone can have their say. Please take a few minutes to read the proposals, come along to the meetings, and make your views known.”

The lion’s share of the proposed cuts, around £14 million, will come from internal efficiencies. These include reducing buildings and energy costs, not filling vacancies, and changes to staff terms and conditions.

A further £3 million will be saved due to decisions already taken, leaving the remainder to be found from service budgets. Savings targets have been based on the ten priorities identified in the council's Choices Consultation last year, in which thousands of people in Bury took part. Proposals cover a wide range of service areas, including school transport, day care, children’s centres, street cleansing, highway maintenance, car parking charges, parks and sports facilities, libraries, and community involvement.

The council will set its budget on Wednesday 20 February.

Cllr Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “There are major changes this year to the whole system of local government funding. We are still analysing the financial settlement announced by the Government just before Christmas, but it is clear that we will need to make major savings, not just this year but in subsequent years. The Plan for Change outlines where we are, and I would urge everyone to read it, listen to the arguments and have their say as soon as possible.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 8 January 2013.