Our Liberal Democrat council leader Jane Battye said the surplus meant the council was weathering the difficult economic situation well and in a good position to meet future challenges:

“The council has a duty to residents to ensure that it is careful in the way it spends their money,” she said.

“But let’s make no mistake, the council still faces big financial challenges in ensuring it continues to deliver the services people have told us are important to them.”

The money put aside will be used for the following purposes:

• About £1.7m of the surplus will be used “to support lower council tax levels” between now and 2013-14.
• Another £2.3m will either be used to fund one-off projects or help keep council tax low.
• The remaining £5m from the surplus is to be set aside to help meet any unexpected expenditure during 2011-12.

The budget for this year was based on a large public consultation exercise and cross-party Budget Review groups. Calderdale Liberal Democrats believe passionate that local people should have their say in how the Council drew up its budget. We are committed to prioritising front-line services and working closely with other organizations (public and community groups).

BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS

“Supporting local people in hard times”

Recognising the hardship many people will be facing in the coming year, the aims of the Liberal Democrat Opposition group on Calderdale Council are to protect existing council services, to provide more of those services that will minimise the effects of the economic downturn, while helping people in general by keeping the Council tax rise down to a minimum.

Our proposals include savings of £5m over the next 3 years,  even with the proposed new services the rise in Council tax would only be just over 1% in 2009libdem-budget-proposals

Consultation with the public: Liberal Democrats are firm believers in the importance of talking with people, listening and responding to their views.

Responses need to be returned to Cllr Janet Battye, group leader, by Friday 13^th February so that they can be considered before the final proposals are prepared to go to Calderdale’s Budget Council meeting on February 23^rd.

To share your views please use the comments box below or alternatively email Cllr Janet Battye at the following address

councillor.jbattye@calderdale.gov.uk

Budget Proposal Summary (Word Doc)

Budget Proposal Detail (Excel Doc)