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Local Government
Rochford District Council
News Bulletin Page
3 February 2012
Council approves Budget for 2012/13
On January 31st 2012, Rochford District Council met to discuss its budget plans for 2012/13.
The Council has to find efficiencies of nearly £1m over the next 12 months. This follows on from the £1.4m of efficiencies we were asked to find in 2011-12, representing a 20 per cent cut in our entire budget.
Every Councillor has been involved in finding efficiencies that will not adversely affect the front line services our residents rely on.
Among the plans that were approved were:
- That the 2012/13 Council Tax for Rochford District Council remains unchanged at £201.15 for a Band D property.
- That a detailed design and timetable for a Pet Memorial Park in Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park is formulated by April.
- That the Council introduces improvements to the layout of Hockley Woods car park and introduces a set of specific charges for Hockley Woods car park and the Freight House car park to discourage commuter parking.
- That the budget for the cost of the Pest Control Service is reduced by £14,000 as it appears residents are happy to go to our contractor directly.
- That the budget for the Summer Swim Scheme is removed, but the Council will still continue to hold all its other holiday activities as usual, as well as Wild Woods Day, the Rayleigh Arts Festival and the Rochford Art Trail.
The Council also agreed to invest in our Economic Development Team to further help local businesses that rely on our support and assistance during these severe trading conditions as well as invest in our Planning Enforcement Services, in response to increasing demand.
Following the meeting, the Leader of Rochford District Council, Councillor Terry Cutmore, said: “I’m pleased to say that, thanks to the sound financial management the Council have shown, we have been able to achieve these efficiencies in a measured and fair way. All Councillors from every party have discussed at length the various proposals and I think there is broad consensus on many of the issues. We wanted to be as fair as possible, while at the same time maintain the high levels of frontline services that our residents expect. In the last 12 months alone Rochford has been named as the top recycling authority in England according to DEFRA figures, our Revenues and Benefits Team have retained their prestigious Customer Service Excellence Award and the Council has become one of only a few organisations to have achieved the prestigious Investors in People Gold standard. These are just a few of the things we have excelled at to help make a difference to our community. We pride ourselves on consistently achieving high standards and we think that, as a Council, this budget not only helps our hard-pressed residents and businesses in the short-term with a freeze on Council Tax increases, but also looks to the future by planning long-term initiatives such as the Pet Memorial Park in Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park to benefit our community in the future.”
To see press release prior to the meeting CLICK HERE
Council approves Budget for 2012/13
On January 31st 2012, Rochford District Council met to discuss its budget plans for 2012/13.
The Council has to find efficiencies of nearly £1m over the next 12 months. This follows on from the £1.4m of efficiencies we were asked to find in 2011-
Every Councillor has been involved in finding efficiencies that will not adversely affect the front line services our residents rely on.
Among the plans that were approved were:
-
The Council also agreed to invest in our Economic Development Team to further help local businesses that rely on our support and assistance during these severe trading conditions as well as invest in our Planning Enforcement Services, in response to increasing demand.
Following the meeting, the Leader of Rochford District Council, Councillor Terry Cutmore, said: “I’m pleased to say that, thanks to the sound financial management the Council have shown, we have been able to achieve these efficiencies in a measured and fair way. All Councillors from every party have discussed at length the various proposals and I think there is broad consensus on many of the issues. We wanted to be as fair as possible, while at the same time maintain the high levels of frontline services that our residents expect. In the last 12 months alone Rochford has been named as the top recycling authority in England according to DEFRA figures, our Revenues and Benefits Team have retained their prestigious Customer Service Excellence Award and the Council has become one of only a few organisations to have achieved the prestigious Investors in People Gold standard. These are just a few of the things we have excelled at to help make a difference to our community. We pride ourselves on consistently achieving high standards and we think that, as a Council, this budget not only helps our hard-
To see press release prior to the meeting CLICK HERE