MAKING the budget-setting process more accessible to Buckinghamshire’s residents so they can contribute and understand how their money is being spent, is one of a range of key recommendations approved this week (Tuesday 24 January), by a cross-party group of Scrutiny Committee Councillors.
The recommendations were made following a detailed examination of Buckinghamshire County Council’s 2012/13 to 2014/15 budgets proposals. Each Cabinet Member attended the scrutiny meetings from January 9 to 11, to answer questions on their budgets, and the effects of those proposals on service delivery. The webcast meetings are still available to view on the webcast portal, www.buckscc.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
The main priority of the scrutiny group was to assess if the County is making the right choices on revenue and capital spend, to effectively deliver its priority services to meet the needs of Buckinghamshire’s residents. The recommendations were presented by the Chairman of the Budget Scrutiny Task and Finish Group, Cllr David Shakespeare. Key areas of recommendation were:
- Cabinet should ensure that the likely equalities impact is fully understood of any service reductions, and this means that an impact assessment should be fully completed before service reductions are proposed.
- Cabinet should reconsider the following proposed service reductions:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Meals on Wheels service charging increases
- Respite Services
- Education and Skills
- Educational Psychology Service
- Preventative Services
- Reductions in social care training/charging
- Carer’s payment
The group also recommends that Cabinet considers increased investment in the Independent Domestic Violence Advocates in light of the excellent work they do across the County in supporting those most in need.
Recommendations will now go to Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet for its response on Monday, February 6. Following this, the draft Budget will go forward to a full County Council meeting for its approval of the final budget.
Scrutiny Budget Task and Finish Group Chairman, Councillor David Shakespeare, said: “This in depth review and detailed report has highlighted a huge number of important issues - particularly the fact that the priorities and needs of our residents should be reflected at a much earlier stage in the budget-setting process. I hope that Cabinet Members will take this report seriously and accept the recommendations.”