Consultations

 

Current Consultations

 

Have your say on Central Beds Council Draft Budget

Protecting front line services by cutting overheads and avoiding council tax rises for next year form the cornerstones of a draft spending plan approved by Central Bedfordshire Executive councillors this week.

The council intends to spend £180m from April 2012 on its wide range of services including highways maintenance, waste collection and disposal, libraries, children's services and social care. Councillors also agreed a £78.7m capital programme outlining investments in road maintenance - an area which residents highlighted as important in a recent council survey - as well as school buildings, street lighting and new residential care facilities.

A reduction in government funding due to national austerity measures and increased demands on services - in areas like adult social care and children services - means the council needs to cut spending by £10.5m next year and nearly £40m over the next four years. To achieve the savings without cutting frontline services, the draft budget approved by councillors includes ambitious plans to deliver services differently, with a more commercial focus and maximising the use of technology to improve efficiency.

The draft budget has been informed by a survey carried out by the council in the autumn in which over 2,000 residents outlined what they believed the council's future spending priorities should be.

Measures to close the spending gap include:

  • Reducing the number of buildings the council works from
  • Streamlining management and reducing money spent on back office administration
  • Seeking ways of running services more cost effectively, including looking at private sector providers and considering setting up an independent Trust to run leisure services
  • Renegotiating contracts to get the best deals, for example for highways maintenance, energy, information technology and vehicle leasing.
  • Offering care contracts and commissioning services jointly with others to increase the council's buying powerCharging utility companies for accessing public highways
  • Bringing charges in line with those levied by other councils, for example respite care and making sure we cover rising costs, such as charges for issuing Blue Badges linked to changes in the national scheme.


Extra investment is being proposed for some services to help deliver savings down the line. These include:

  • Improving services that help people to live independently at home for longer and to reduce the use of residential careInvestment in leisure centres to increase their profitability
  • Investment in more energy efficient street lights when replacements are due.


The council's spending plans are now open for public consultation. Residents can view the budget proposals online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations or from their local libraries from next week.

People can take part in the debate on our community discussion website www.letstalkcentral.com, email comments to consultations@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or send written responses to FREEPOST RSJS GBB2 SRZT, Budget Consultation, Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands SG17 5TQ.

The consultation is open until midday on 27 January 2012. Councillors will then use feedback to review the draft budget options, before full council announce the final budget on 23 February 2012.

 

Have your say on future minerals and waste sites

The Minerals and Waste Core Strategy Development Plan sets out the planning strategy for mineral extraction, non-hazardous landfill and waste recovery that is needed throughout Central Bedfordshire over for the next 15 years.

Local people will have the opportunity to comment on whether or not they consider the plan to be 'sound' during this consultation, running from 5 December 2011 until 29 January 2012, by visiting the planning portal or by e-mail: MWPLan@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or by letter /representation form to: The Minerals and Waste Planning Team, Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, SG17 5TQ. The documents can also be viewed by visiting local council offices and main libraries.

Over the next few years, new sand and gravel workings are needed to supply construction materials. Also more waste management sites will help to move society away from landfilling, and towards waste recovery uses (such as mechanical biological treatment facilities and recycling facilities.)

The strategy is being developed jointly between Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton Borough Councils and all three Councils are inviting representations on the 'soundness' of the joint Minerals and Waste Core Strategy before it is formally submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.


Have your say on the future of Libraries in Central Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire Council is reviewing its Library Service to ensure it meets the needs of future generations. During summer 2011 we heard from over two thousand people about what they liked about the library service now and how they would like to see it improved. We have used this feedback to inform our proposals for the future.

We are now inviting residents to give their views on the overall direction of the library service and what residents want their local library to be like. Please do read the short *Libraries for the Future consultation document (PDF 144KB) at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations which sets out the proposed direction for libraries in Central Bedfordshire and then let us have your views by completing our online survey. The deadline for responses is 18 January 2012.


Have your say on Local Area Transport Plans (Phase 2)

Engagement and consultation through public meetings, online discussions and questionnaires to develop local area transport plans for:- Marston Vale; Ampthill &  Flitwick; Heath & Reach, Toddington and Barton Le Clay; Shefford & Silsoe. Details at www.centralbedfordsahire.gov.uk/consultations and complete the survey at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/surveys/LATP/Ampthill-Flitwick/form.htm. Deadline: 3 February 2012
 

Central Bedfordshire Consultations