Council Leader “encouraged” by public response to budget consultation

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Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay has said he is "encouraged by the range and extent" of public responses to a wide-ranging consultation on how the council's services and finances might develop in the years ahead.

Over the summer, Renfrewshire Council has been carrying out a consultation programme on 'Difficult Choices for Difficult Times'.

The views of Renfrewshire residents, employees, community and business organisations are being sought as the council aims to tackle a likely £75m funding gap over the next three years.

An interim report on the responses to the consultation has found most of the respondents agree that

• the council's existing service priorities are the right ones
• the approach taken to identify possible savings is the correct one, and
• some council offices or facilities may have to close in order to save money to keep others open.

There was a more mixed response when people were asked if they would be willing to pay increased council tax or increased charges in order to maintain council services.

"All councils and public organisations will have to deal with a much changed financial position in the coming years," said Councillor Mackay.

"Renfrewshire Council has confirmed and is continuing to deliver on a £250 million plus strategic investment programme in schools, community and leisure facilities and council housing. The cost of that major capital investment in Renfrewshire can be spread over a number of years.

"Our consultation on our medium term spending has given people the context and opportunity to make informed suggestions on their priorities for council services before final decisions are taken.

"We have now had approaching 2,000 responses and we are still gathering more views at Local Area Committees, business briefings and online.

"Clearly, people now have a deeper understanding of the difficult choices we are facing. The feedback we've had indicates that the information given and the opportunity to participate has been welcomed by residents, organisations and communities across Renfrewshire.

"Overall, the consultation has been informative and positive," said Councillor Mackay.

Among the most popular public suggestions so far for possible savings are reducing spending on service duplication, management, public awareness campaigns, rationalising council properties, and also bringing in income through additional charges for some services.

Among the least popular areas for cuts are road resurfacing, street cleaning, education and tackling dog fouling.

Renfrewshire residents and organisations can still make their views known using this online survey.

The interim report on the 'Difficult Choices for Difficult Times' will be considered at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council's Leadership Board on Wednesday 1 September.

Press release: Thursday 26 August 2010