PART 1
(OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
ITEM No. 8
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES
TO THE BUDGET SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
ON WEDNESDAY, 5th DECEMBER 2006
TITLE:
BUDGET CONSULTATION 2008/09
RECOMMENDATION:
Members are asked to consider the results of the September to November 2007
budget consultation process and the arrangements for the January 2008
consultation meeting.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The report outlines the priorities of the public arising from the first stage of the
200/09 budget consultation process.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
Various working papers and reports. (Available for public inspection)
CONTACT OFFICER:
Geoff Topping Tel. 793 3240 geoff.topping@salford.gov.uk
ASSESSMENT OF RISK:
Not applicable
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Revenue Resources
LEGAL ADVICE OBTAINED:
Not applicable
FINANCIAL ADVICE OBTAINED:
The Finance Division of Corporate Services has produced this report.
WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE (S) :
All wards
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:
Budget Strategy
1.
Introduction
1.1
A report was submitted to Budget and Audit Scrutiny Committee on 5th
September 2006 outlining the budget consultation process for the Council’s
2008/09 budget. The first stage of budget consultation was completed in
November 2007 and this report informs members of the results.
2.
Consultation Framework
2.1
The budget consultation process for the 2008/09 budget has comprised a
number of elements with the aim of attracting an increased number of
responses from a reasonable cross-section of the population of the city
including:





Big Listening consultation group
Budget consultation database (including community committee members)
Distribution of questionnaires by Eccles CVS and Age Concern
Questionnaires in libraries and public buildings
Salford City Council website via an on-line form and e-mail
2.2
The results of the consultation can now be reported for consideration by the
committee in relation to the development of the council’s budget and council
tax level for 2008/09.
2.3
The number of responses on which the results are based are as follows:
Consultation Group
Big Listening
Budget
consultation
database
Questionnaires
issued
7000
Number of
responses
1163
2590
82
Website and
e-mail
Total
2.4
% response
17
3
18
9590
1263
13
It was intended, with the support of the Youth Service to undertake
consultation with young people during National Youth Week in November
2007. The Youth Service have not been in a position to undertake
consultation at this stage and it unlikely that it will take place until the new
year.
3.
Consultation Results
3.1
Overall results combining Big Listening
questionnaires – a total of 1263 responses.
and
all
other
completed
Services people thought more money should be spent on
Community committees
Libraries, museums & art galleries
Sport centres & swimming pools
Street lighting
Refuse collection
Economic development & regeneration
Service
Housing services
Traffic management & road safety
Parks & open spaces
Street cleaning
Recycling
Youth services & facilities
Education
Maintenance of roads & pavements
Health & social care
Crime & community safety
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Proportion of total replies
Services people thought less money should be spent on
Crime & community safety
Maintenance of roads & pavements
Health & social care
Education
Street cleaning
Refuse collection
Service
Parks & open spaces
Recycling
Street lighting
Youth services & facilities
Traffic management & road safety
Economic development & regeneration
Housing services
Libraries, museums & art galleries
Sport centres & swimming pools
Community committees
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Proportion of total replies
Response to question: In 2007/08 the average council tax paid
in Salford was £941 per household. Which of the following
options for next year do you feel is most appropriate?
An increase in council tax above 3% in order to
improve priority council services
A decrease in council tax levels even if it meant a
reduction in the level of services
Council tax to remain at the current level with
some reduction in the level of service
An increase in council tax of 3% to maintain
council services at existing levels
0
5
10
15
20
Percentage %
25
30
35
Opinions on council tax and value for money
Do you agree/disagree with the following
statement: Salford city council has its level of
council tax about right
Do you agree/disagree with the following
statement: Salford city council provides better
value for money compared to a year ago
Do you agree/disagree with the following
statement: Salford city council provides good
value for money for the council tax that
residents pay
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Total proportion who agree / disagree
%
Overall satisfaction level with the services provided by Salford
City Council
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
0
10
20
30
40
50
Total proportion who are satisfied / dissatisfied
%
60
70
3.2
Where residents were dissatisfied with council services they were asked to
state the service they were dissatisfied with and reasons. In both the Big
Listening survey and from other questionnaires the two main areas of
dissatisfaction were:

Environmental Services
o Issues with recycling services
o Bins not emptied or waste left
o Dirty streets, fly tipping and litter

Transport Services
o Poor state of roads and pavements
o Quality of street lighting
Comments were also received on a wide range of issues including:












3.3
Lack of help, assistance or interest from the council
Untidy or poor workmanship
Closing high achieving schools
Lack of funding for social services
Walkden town centre is run down
Lack of youth services and facilities
Level of rent arrears
Parking in Swinton town centre
Call Centre is difficult to contact
Lack of police presence
Closure of public conveniences
Cost of Mayor’s office
Some comments were also made about the level of council tax and council
efficiency including:



Council Tax should not increase by more than the rate of inflation
The cost of bureaucracy need to be considered separately from the
direct cost of maintaining services
Too many council employees
4.
Next Steps
4.1
The results from the September to November 2007 consultation process will
also be reported to the Lead member for Customer and Support Services for
consideration in finalising budget plans for 2008/09.
4.2
A further public consultation meeting is to be held at 6 p.m. on 15th January
2008 at the Civic Centre. An advertisement for the meeting will be placed in
The Advertiser on 3rd January 2008.
4.3
The consultation meeting will be led by the Lead Member for Customer and
Support Services and the City Treasurer and will include:
 An update on the council’s financial position for 2008/09
 Feedback of the September to November 2007 consultation
results
 Inviting views of the public on budget options for 2007/08
 Questions and answers on budget and Council Tax issues
4.4
Members are invited to give their views on ways to improve the effectiveness
of the public meeting
John Spink
City Treasurer