Council Draft budget proposals 2010/11

The latest draft budget revealed today proposes a "freeze" on council tax next year which, if agreed, would help Hull residents to weather the recession.

The freeze will be funded through savings of £3m which have been identified through a range of efficiency measures, and income generation opportunities. Frontline services will not be affected.

Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Carl Minns, said: "In the current economic climate money is very tight and people are really feeling the pinch. At best people have seen their incomes stay the same and for others incomes have dropped. It wouldn't be justified in these circumstances to increase council tax next year and I hope news of these proposals comes as an unexpected Christmas bonus for our residents. The proposed zero increase would ensure Hull keeps its current position with the lowest average council tax in Yorkshire."

The draft budget proposals include continued investment in key areas including:

the Council's three year transformation programme focusing on six priorities* which also offers opportunities for major efficiency savings. This has already started to improve outcomes, for example, the investment to support improved secondary school attainment has already seen a significant improvement with the best ever GCSE results this year.

waste collection service to increase recycling to meet the 45% target (Target 45+) and avoid rising costs of landfill.

improving roads and transport services (two new park and ride services to be delivered in the east and north of the city over a three year period)

flood modelling/resilience work, in partnership, following the 2007 floods.

environmental enforcement support to tackle issues like abandoned vehicles and fly tipping.

additional investment in schemes to support businesses in the current economic downturn, for example the Acorn fund.

Increased youth support around sports development, youth offending and learning programmes.

New areas of investment include:

extra care housing, to support older and vulnerable residents live independently for longer (including new extra care housing through PFI (private finance initiative)

adult safeguarding - enhancing safeguarding arrangements to safeguard vulnerable adults.

additional funding for voluntary groups using schools' facilities for sports and other activities.

Opportunities for savings for 2010/11 have been identified across a range of council areas, to meet spending requirements and fund the council tax freeze.

These include:

transformation savings - better procurement of goods and services

rationalisation/reduction of offices/buildings to increase efficiency

The first phase of the review of the Council's management structure has been completed and it will now move into the second phase.

The budget proposals will now go through a formal consultation period to 28 January. Then, taking account of comments from the consultation, the proposals will go to full Council on 25 February 2010 when it will be decided if the proposed budget is adopted.

The public can comment on the proposals (which will be available on the Council's website from Wednesday 9 December) by emailing budget.consultation@hullcc.gov.uk. or completing the short online survey. You can also complete the survey by ringing 300 300.

http://www.hullcc.gov.uk