Have your say over spending proposals

Local residents are encouraged to come to the Municipal Offices at 7pm on Thursday 14 January to have their say over spending proposals for 2016/17. The public forum is taking place as part of a 5 week consultation.

To register for a place, residents can contact the council’s secretariat team on 01242 775027 or email [email protected], with their name, address and phone number.  The forum is an easy way for people to hear about the council’s budget proposals and importantly, share their views.

Those who cannot make the forum, can still take part in the consultation; residents can go online at www.cheltenham.gov.uk/budget or visit the Municipal Offices for a questionnaire.

The consultation is open until 20 January 2016 and the feedback will help to shape the final budget before it goes to full council on 12 February 2016.

Councillor John Rawson, cabinet member for finance said: "The unexpectedly large cut in government grant in the coming year makes it necessary for us to focus more sharply on our priorities for the future.

"I am keen to talk to Cheltenham residents as to what we should be doing. We welcome everyone who wants to come along and take part."

For press enquiries contact: Katie Sandey, communications and web team leader, on 01242 775037 or email [email protected]

Editor’s notes

The council is preparing for a financially difficult year, against a background of declining government funding for local councils and rising costs.

• Our draft budget for 2016/17 identifies £738,000 of efficiency savings in the coming year and there are plans to save a further £657,000 a year over the following three years by sharing more of its services with neighbouring councils.
• For the first time since 2010 there will also be a small increase in the borough council’s share of council tax. The increase of just under 2 per cent will take the borough element of council tax up to £190.84 for the average Band D taxpayer, an increase of £3.72 a year.