You said, We listened
Comments and Council answers from the budget consultation.
Image of a human ear
Below are a list of comments from the recent budget consultation.
You said “Remove the Mayor and associated activities”. “Reduce the mayoralty”.
We have revised how the mayoralty will be run from May 2011 when the next Mayor takes up office. The number of events attended by the Mayor will be capped. In addition, the main focus of the work of the Mayor will be focused on community events within the boundaries of the Borough with visits outside the Borough restricted. These initiatives, together with other budget reductions such as printing all mayoral material in-house, will reduce costs.
You said “stop doing works you done need to do - or non stat as you call it.” “Non statutory services should face the biggest cuts leaving the Council to concentrate on statutory core services which affect the majority of residents.” “The council, like many large organisations is inefficient. It needs to be run like a profit making business. Run the council the way Toyota runs its business. That which is poor value should be axed. We are all suffering now for decades of miss management. It is high time this was put right.” “Would suggest that to avoid further reduction in services or job losses, an 'across' the board', modest reduction in council staff salaries/ pensions be implemented. ““A moderate pay decrease for all staff”
Council back office services have reduced by 25 % in the last three years cutting the annual budget from £11.4m to 10.99m. Further efficiency savings for 2011 have been agreed as part of the budget with efficiencies to come from reductions in staff costs and joint working with neighbouring councils. The reductions already achieved and those planned will ensure that the focus of the Council’s spending is on statutory core services.
You said “Why is the top level only 5%? This is serious stuff, I would have opted to raise fees for some discretionary elements higher”, “Fees and charges should be increased above the 5% where appropriate.”, “The operation of boat hire on Fairhaven lake is inappropriate in this day and age unless it is a money spinner for the council..”, “Do not increase parking charges”
The Council will keep under review its fees and charges to ensure that it optimises income wherever possible based on national trends and local economic conditions. Fees and charges have already been raised across a number of areas and services where income can be generated. This will be publicised more to local residents and businesses. For example, the Pest Control service will be featured in the March 2011 edition of the Council’s newspaper, Fylde Matters.
You said “Is it possible to raise funds/ reduce costs by offering partial and temporary work to volunteers. So that any cuts are compensated for by improved services and standards using volunteers. E.g. a volunteer could be sought from every street who would ensure that the street was kept more litter free. As a reward/ compensation fee these volunteers may be offered "stars" which could be exchanged for free council services when they need them - or first access to certain other council services. I personally am DYING to paint over the graffiti on the promenade at the foot of my road. My hands are tied as I have to wait for the Council to administer this work. Meantime it's an eyesore sending out the message that St Annes allows graffiti. Other people must feel equally strongly about their own local problems and would be happy to volunteer. I have loads more areas/ ideas which I could contribute to but I suspect red tape would get in the way.” “Parks and gardens should be maintained by local groups not the borough council.”
The Council is already committed to working with partner organisations who participate with volunteers to help support the Fylde community. For example we work with a number of ‘Friends of’ parks and Fylde in Bloom groups who provide expertise and raise funds to support the development of parks and gardens within the Borough. We also support the Fylde Citizens Advice Bureau and provide its funding which totals around £70,000 worth of support each year. The Fylde CAB uses the money provided by the Council to support the recruitment and training of a number of volunteers who help other Fylde residents with a range of issues including housing, benefits and debt advice. We are keen to expand our work with volunteers.
You said “Do what it takes to lower council tax. We pay enough hard earned money to government. Reduce spending additional in most areas except refuse collection. If tourists want to come here then pass all costs onto them. Normal residents do not get anything out of them coming here except even less parking opportunity. “Concentrate on Fylde residents' needs.”
Fylde residents will enjoy a council tax freeze with no reduction in frontline services this year. The council tax charged in Fylde is one of the lowest in Lancashire and at the same time our performance is officially the best across district councils in Lancashire and 42nd out of all 201 district councils nationwide following a recent performance review by international auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The promotion of a thriving local economy is a corporate priority for the Council and tourism is a key aspect of this. By providing a welcoming inclusive place to reside for local people this has the added benefit that people from other areas want to visit the Borough whilst not detracting from meeting the needs of residents. In 2009, tourism generated 129 million pounds worth of revenue to the local economy. This includes money spent on accommodation, food and drinks, recreation, shopping and transport. This sector of the local economy supports Fylde residents by providing job opportunities for local people.
You said “The council should not be spending money on sports development that is a function of schooling”. “More diversionary activities for young people and less for older people”
The Council has been successful in attracting funding for a number of sports development posts which support healthy lifestyles and diversionary activities for young people. Work is undertaken with both schools and local sports clubs. These services are at no cost to the Council tax payers as the funding has been obtained from other sources such as lottery funding which may only be spent on Sports Development activities.
You said “The Borough council's newspaper is a waste of money”, “stop publishing a news paper”; “The Council’s newspaper is a good way of reaching out to all residents”
In a recent survey carried out by Lancashire County Council “Lancashire in Life” conducted in December 2010 Fylde residents, when asked how they find out what is going on in your local area provided the biggest response at 73% by identifying the local press closely followed at 60 % with information put through their door. Conversely when asked about other means of communication elicited much lower responses.
Whilst views on the value of Fylde Matters, the Council’s newspaper, are divided the Council believes it is a good way of communicating with residents about what is going on within the area. Work has been undertaken to reduce the costs of the newspaper through working with partner agencies to reduce publication costs and only two of the four newspapers published in the last year have been paid for by the council. In addition, costs have been driven down further by the introduction of advertising.
You said “Engage with Community Payback Scheme to assist litter picking and street cleaning”
Through the Community Safety Partnership the Council works closely with the Community Payback Scheme. We maximise all opportunities to enhance the physical environment for the benefit of residents through initiatives such as community clean up projects, litter picking and work on community growing areas.
You said “Disbanding or reducing of the Local Strategic Partnership”
The Local Strategic Partnership is funded through taxation on second homes within the Borough and Fylde Borough Council’s contribution of £25,000 levers in around an additional £250,000 to support activities in the Borough. These activities range from providing vehicles in which to locate mobile CCTV equipment which move around the Borough to help deter crime and reduce the perception of the fear of crime to initiatives such as the Fylde Food Co-Operative which brings together volunteers to help grow and distribute produce to the most needy within our community. The role of the Partnership will be kept under review to ensure that the LSP continues to deliver priorities which are recognised as important to the local community through regular consultation.
You said “Economic Development should be undertaken by LCC”
The Council made a decision some years ago to discontinue its economic development function following consultation with the business community about what support it required from the Council. This saw a re-focusing of activity on regeneration activities. This has resulted in million of pounds worth of investment being levered in from both the public and private sector to support the regeneration of town centres within the Borough.
You said “Public conveniences should be retained”
The Council has a public/private partnership with DANFO which has seen a number of the Council’s public conveniences modernised for the benefit of residents.
You said “Reduce the number of councillors”
The Council is currently considering an approach from the Boundary Commission as to whether the Council wishes to put itself forward for an electoral review considering the number of councillors and the wards which they serve.
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