Group discussion toolkit
Introduction
The traditional model of public services and local government no
longer works in Northamptonshire.
We are experiencing huge rises in demand for services with our
population growth far outstripping the national average.
As a result of this growth in population there are ever increasing
demands on our services
At the same time our income is rapidly reducing. In total while our
costs of delivering services are increasing £99m our income from
government is reducing by £81m.
lmlmk
80% increase in numbers of over 65s
needing Social Care by 2037
29% increase in traffic volume since 1994
350 Extra Primary School places needed
12% increase in school capacity by 2037
121,200 New residents by 2037
to meet demand across the LA in 2015
Between 2013 and 2037
the number of over-65s
requiring Adult Social
Care is likely to rise by
80%, necessitating nearly
7,000 more funded places.
More younger and older people
School Places
expected to rise
by 12% between
2013 and 2037
... 11,500 new
places needed.
THE TRADITIONAL MODEL OF PAYING FOR
LOCAL SERVICES:
The cost of providing public services =
Income =
THE FORECASTED MODEL OF PAYING FOR
LOCAL SERVICES:
The cost of providing public services =
Income =
Draft Budget and Council Plan
We have therefore published our budget proposals which show how we
are aiming to face up to some of these challenges in the next financial
year.
We have also published our Council Plan which shows how we are
proposing the biggest transformation of public services in
Northamptonshire since the creation of the county council 125 years
ago.
The headline proposals are:
1. An increase in council tax of 1.95%
2. £66 million worth of savings over 2015/16
3. Review of fees and charges
4. Transforming the way the council works to deliver priorities
Discussion questions: Council Tax
The council is proposing to increase council tax by 1.95% for 2015-16:
– This would £4.4 million from council tax in 2015-16
– Band D Council Tax would increase from £1048.57 to £1069.02,
an extra 39p a week
– Without this additional funding the council would not be able to
deliver the planned draft budget and front line services would be
threatened
What is your preferred Council Tax option?
1. Freeze council tax
2. Increase council tax by 1.95%
3. Increase council tax by more than 2%
Do you have any other comments on Council Tax?
Discussion questions: Draft Budget
The council is proposing savings of £66m in 2015/16
Thinking about the draft budget proposals that may affect/interest your
group, please tell us:
1. Which proposal/s you wish to comment on?
2. What impact this may have?
3. What we could do to mitigate against this impact?
4. Do you have any alternative budget savings proposals?
Information on all of the council’s proposals are available on the
following website: www.northamptonshire.gov/draftbudget
Discussion questions: Fees and
Charges
Thinking about the fees and charges proposals that may affect/interest
your group, please tell us:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Which fees and charges you wish to comment on?
What impact this may have?
What we could do to mitigate against this impact?
Do you have any alternative suggestions for raising income
through fees and charges?
Information on all of the fees and charges proposals are available on the
following website: www.northamptonshire.gov/draftbudget
Consumer
Taxpayer
Safeguarding Outcomes
Wellbeing Outcomes
Super Customer
Service Centre
Company
NCC Web and Social
Media
Federated Model
Northants
Place
Shaping
Partnership
Wellbeing
Community
Organisatio
n
Accountabl
e Care
Organisatio
n
Child
Protection
Services
Mutual
Social
Enterprises
&
Public:Public
collaboratio
n
Right-sourcing
Market
Developme
nt
LGSS private
cloud
Right-sourcing
Commissioni
ng
Regulatory
& Policy
lobbying
Providing Support Services
Voluntary
Sector
&
Contract Mgt
QA &
Safeguardi
ng
Financier,
shareholder
& funder
Business
Intelligenc
e
Democratic
interface
Communicati
on
Charity
Sector
Discussion questions: Council Plan
The budget proposals illustrate our spending plans for the next financial
year but given the scale of challenges facing us we need a longer
term plan to make us more affordable as an organisation given the
spending and income pressures we face.
The longer term transformation of services described in the Council Plan
ensures we can face up to these challenges while protecting vital
services and outcomes rather than by simply cutting budgets year on
year and not being able to deliver for the people of
Northamptonshire.
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the Next
Generation Council proposal?
2. Do you have any further comments?
How will my feedback be used?
Feedback will be used to inform the council’s decision making:
• Decision-makers will receive a weekly report telling them what
people are saying
• Feedback will be used to inform EQIAs (Equality impact
assessments)
• The final budget report will include an appendix of consultation
findings
When will the final decision be made?
• The Draft Budget and Council Plan will be decided on the 19th
February by a meeting of Full Council.
• Members of the public can attend full council and speak on any item.
• You will receive feedback when the final decision is made.
• Further consultation will then take place as the plans are
implemented:
– Specific proposals for service changes will be the subject of
separate detailed consultations as the proposals are developed
and refined.
Other ways to have your say
1. Complete the online survey at
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/draftbudget
2. Email consult@northamptonshire.gov.uk
3. Tweet @mycountycouncil
4. Post on our mycountycouncil facebook page or linked in account
5. Write to: Draft Budget and Council Plan Consultation,
Northamptonshire County Council, County Hall, Northampton, NN1
1DN
6. Sign or submit a petition
7. Take part on the budget scrutiny process
More details available: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/draftbudget
Thank you
Please send your discussion feedback to :
Email: consult@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Write to:
Draft Budget and Council Plan Consultation
Northamptonshire County Council
County Hall
Northampton
NN1 1DN
The consultation closes on the 20th January