Budget 2019 Consultation

Despite already achieving savings of £99 million Bedford Borough Council needs to identify further savings of nearly £21 million by 2024. Central government cuts and a rise in demand for some of our services means we face difficult times and some very tough decisions.

In 2016 the Council agreed an ‘Efficiency Plan’ which built on the many savings proposals we have implemented over a number of years.

This Plan identified three key areas where we planned to make further savings:

• Our new operating model was expected to save £10.3 million by offering more of our services in a digital way which would allow changes to our internal processes and ways of working.
• Savings proposals suggested by Council service areas were expected to save a further £9.6 million.
• Buying goods and services better, renegotiating many of our contracts and other changes to how we finance Council services was expected to save a further £4 million.

We are still on track to deliver these savings, however despite introducing these measures we still have ongoing pressures on a number of services including Adult Social Care. This is an area where we have increased pressures from an ageing population with ever more complex needs.

In addition to making the savings described earlier we have committed an additional £11 million to providing the Adult Social Care services our residents need including increased early intervention, preventative and reablement services.

We are always interested in our residents’ views on our budgets and areas we might look at to save money or increase revenue.

How to Have Your Say   Email us: consultingbedford@bedford.gov.uk  Write to: Consulting Bedford, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP Visit our website: www.bedford.gov.uk/budget2019 Comments should be received by Friday 1 February 2019 and may be published. Responses to the consultation will be considered by the Full Council as part of its budget setting process at its meeting of 6 February 2019.

Local Plan - Update

Following approval by the Council the Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State on 14th December 2018. Independent examination of the Local Plan will now take place. Further information can be found on the Council’s webpages where updates and information will be published as the examination progresses. VISIT WEBSITE

Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

Colleagues at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are seeking views on their Council Tax precept.

MORE INFORMATION HERE

This bulletin has been sent to you by Bedford Borough Council's Consultation Team 

Bedford Borough Council, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP

consultingbedford@bedford.gov.uk