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Local Government
Rochford District Council
News Bulletin Page
30 January 2012
Rochford District Council’s Budget 2012/13
On January 31st 2012, Rochford District Council will meet to discuss its budget plans for 2012/13.
The Council has been asked 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.
Across all parties, Councillors have worked hard over several months to find efficiencies that will not adversely affect the front line services our residents rely on.
Despite the financial constraints the Council is operating under it has already managed to increase the total amount in grants it gives to the voluntary sector to £105,000.
The Council has also ensured that public conveniences will remain open while it investigates ways to improve and modernise them.
On January 31st 2012 Councillors will debate a proposal to freeze Rochford District Council’s part of Council Tax for 2012/13. This would mean that Rochford’s part of Council Tax will remain unchanged at £201.15 for a Band D property.
Councillors will discuss investment in our parks and open spaces, including the possibility of opening a Pet Memorial Park in our flagship Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park.
There are proposals to invest in our Economic Development Team to further help local businesses that rely on our support and assistance during these severe trading conditions and also to invest in our Planning Enforcement Services, in response to increasing demand.
With such huge cuts to our entire budget, the Council will be considering the options with other services it provides.
Among the proposals the Council will consider are the introduction of improvements to the layout of parking at Hockley Woods alongside a proposal to introduce a specific set of car park charges.
A survey of traffic movements at Hockley Woods car park indicates there are a large number of people using it for commuter parking or to park while they work at local businesses.
The car park has always been intended for people who want to enjoy Hockley Woods and, as such, the Council will be considering a charging scheme which is geared towards discouraging those who use the car park for commuter parking.
The Council will also be considering its options with charging for car parking at the Freight House in Rochford. At the moment, the car park is free after 9am and is meant to be used by those who are visiting or using the Freight House.
However, it has become apparent that the car park is now also being used by late commuters and shoppers in the town centre. A charging scheme at the Freight House will be considered by the Council.
Last year, a charging scheme for parking at the Freight House was introduced for Rochford District Council staff. This will continue for the next year.
There will also be discussion regarding pest control services. Since charges for pest control services were introduced last year, requests for rodent treatments have reduced by 65 per cent. However, the number of residential premises where treatment is carried out by the contractor has only reduced by five per cent suggesting that residents appear to be happy to contact our contractor directly.
The Council proposes to end the subsidised scheme and let residents contact the contractor direct. However, the Council will still help with cases of genuine financial hardship.
The Council will also be considering the future of the Summer Swim Scheme. Although the Council puts together a comprehensive set of events and activities for youngsters in the school holidays each year, the Swim Scheme costs a large amount of money when hire of swimming pools, lifeguard training etc are factored in.
This will be the only part of the Council’s comprehensive Leisure Services programme that will not be available this year. Flagship events such as Wild Woods Day and the Rayleigh Arts Festival will still happen.
The Leader of Rochford District Council, Councillor Terry Cutmore, said: “We are acutely aware of the challenges this budget sets us. Having made huge efficiencies of £1.4m last year, there has been real pressure to find nearly a million pounds more without affecting the services our residents rely on.That’s why Elected Members from all parties have been actively involved in several meetings to discuss how we can meet these challenges.The result is, I trust, a budget that is fair for everyone. We work hard as a Council to take decisions that we expect will benefit our community both now and in the future. That’s why we have proposed to freeze our part of the Council Tax for the next financial year to help hard-pressed residents in the District in the short-term and proposed to invest in our Economic Development Team to continue to offer support to local businesses who are also suffering at the moment. At the same time we propose to invest in facilities such as our flagship Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park so that future generations can continue to enjoy the District.”
Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, Councillor Colin Seagers added: “Although this budget concentrates on trying to find £922,000 of efficiencies over the next 12 months, we really want to emphasise fairness and obtaining best value in these proposals. To that end, Councillors and officers have rigorously scrutinised every element of what we provide to try and come up with a budget that is fair to everyone while still maintaining the excellent standard of core services that our residents both rely on and expect.”
Rochford District Council’s Budget 2012/13
On January 31st 2012, Rochford District Council will meet to discuss its budget plans for 2012/13.
The Council has been asked 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-
Across all parties, Councillors have worked hard over several months to find efficiencies that will not adversely affect the front line services our residents rely on.
Despite the financial constraints the Council is operating under it has already managed to increase the total amount in grants it gives to the voluntary sector to £105,000.
The Council has also ensured that public conveniences will remain open while it investigates ways to improve and modernise them.
On January 31st 2012 Councillors will debate a proposal to freeze Rochford District Council’s part of Council Tax for 2012/13. This would mean that Rochford’s part of Council Tax will remain unchanged at £201.15 for a Band D property.
Councillors will discuss investment in our parks and open spaces, including the possibility of opening a Pet Memorial Park in our flagship Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park.
There are proposals to invest in our Economic Development Team to further help local businesses that rely on our support and assistance during these severe trading conditions and also to invest in our Planning Enforcement Services, in response to increasing demand.
With such huge cuts to our entire budget, the Council will be considering the options with other services it provides.
Among the proposals the Council will consider are the introduction of improvements to the layout of parking at Hockley Woods alongside a proposal to introduce a specific set of car park charges.
A survey of traffic movements at Hockley Woods car park indicates there are a large number of people using it for commuter parking or to park while they work at local businesses.
The car park has always been intended for people who want to enjoy Hockley Woods and, as such, the Council will be considering a charging scheme which is geared towards discouraging those who use the car park for commuter parking.
The Council will also be considering its options with charging for car parking at the Freight House in Rochford. At the moment, the car park is free after 9am and is meant to be used by those who are visiting or using the Freight House.
However, it has become apparent that the car park is now also being used by late commuters and shoppers in the town centre. A charging scheme at the Freight House will be considered by the Council.
Last year, a charging scheme for parking at the Freight House was introduced for Rochford District Council staff. This will continue for the next year.
There will also be discussion regarding pest control services. Since charges for pest control services were introduced last year, requests for rodent treatments have reduced by 65 per cent. However, the number of residential premises where treatment is carried out by the contractor has only reduced by five per cent suggesting that residents appear to be happy to contact our contractor directly.
The Council proposes to end the subsidised scheme and let residents contact the contractor direct. However, the Council will still help with cases of genuine financial hardship.
The Council will also be considering the future of the Summer Swim Scheme. Although the Council puts together a comprehensive set of events and activities for youngsters in the school holidays each year, the Swim Scheme costs a large amount of money when hire of swimming pools, lifeguard training etc are factored in.
This will be the only part of the Council’s comprehensive Leisure Services programme that will not be available this year. Flagship events such as Wild Woods Day and the Rayleigh Arts Festival will still happen.
The Leader of Rochford District Council, Councillor Terry Cutmore, said: “We are acutely aware of the challenges this budget sets us. Having made huge efficiencies of £1.4m last year, there has been real pressure to find nearly a million pounds more without affecting the services our residents rely on.That’s why Elected Members from all parties have been actively involved in several meetings to discuss how we can meet these challenges.The result is, I trust, a budget that is fair for everyone. We work hard as a Council to take decisions that we expect will benefit our community both now and in the future. That’s why we have proposed to freeze our part of the Council Tax for the next financial year to help hard-
Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, Councillor Colin Seagers added: “Although this budget concentrates on trying to find £922,000 of efficiencies over the next 12 months, we really want to emphasise fairness and obtaining best value in these proposals. To that end, Councillors and officers have rigorously scrutinised every element of what we provide to try and come up with a budget that is fair to everyone while still maintaining the excellent standard of core services that our residents both rely on and expect.”