PLANS to freeze Bucks council tax for a second year, invest in roads and protect vital front line services form part of a series of final budget recommendations to be presented to County Council on 16 February.
The proposals, agreed by Cabinet on Monday, February 6 ensure that the council will be able to meet the financial challenges ahead, protect grants to the voluntary sector, continue support for the most vulnerable and provides for an additional £5 million investment in road maintenance, the highest priority area identified by local residents and businesses. The county's current two year road programme now comprises £30m with another £15m in the following two years.
Plans have been prepared in the light of a 10.4% reduction in core Government funding and year-on-year service pressures such as an ageing population, the increasing number of looked after children, inflationary pressures and increasing landfill tax. If approved, the council's net operating revenue budget for 2012/13 will be £328 million, with capital investment of about £105 million to spend in areas like improving schools and repairing buildings.
Presenting the recommendations, Council Leader Martin Tett, said it was a 'Good News' budget for residents despite difficult circumstances.
"It has been a challenging process to develop these final proposals and to get the books to balance. I would particularly like to thank local residents, the business sector and other partners for their views received during the two stages of recent consultation and for the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group members. They have all helped shape these final proposals.
"Everyone knows the country's ability to fund public services is reducing whilst both costs and demand for services are increasing. It's meant taking some tough decisions, but I'm pleased we will still be able to deliver on our major priorities.
"It's also good news for residents in that, in line with government expectations, we will be able to deliver a Council Tax freeze yet again next year. With all other household bills rising, I know this will make a small but important difference to the money in people's pockets."
For 2012/13, the total revenue savings required amount to £21.7m. Of this, 84% represent service efficiencies, 10% are service reductions and 6% are additional income.