Preston City Council have released the details of their new budget proposal, including a proposed rise in council tax by 3.5%.
AdvertisementEd Walker has already covered the key points in his story last week, but I’m going to take a look at the specific numbers involved in the council’s savings and spending areas.
In the consultation document the council emphasise the importance on Guild year, saying: “The next financial year is an important year for the city as we celebrate Preston Guild.
“In 2010 the council made a commitment to fund the Guild despite pressures on the budget.
“It made this commitment for cultural, heritage, social and economic reasons together with a firm belief that at a difficult time it can bring lasting rewards to those who live and work in the city.”
First, let’s take a look at the proposed spending areas for the budget, click on the graph below to scroll through and compare the areas where funding has been allocated.
Redundancy Costs
Preston Council’s redundancy proposals will lead to “approximately” 25 jobs over the three year budget period. 6 posts are vacant and will be “deleted”, while several members of the Guild team will be let go. The council also estimate that several redundancies will be dealt with by voluntary early retirement.
Cost: ÂŁ827,000 in 2012/13, ÂŁ27,000 in 2013/14, ÂŁ100,000 in 2014/15
Costs of Capital investment
The council will borrow to fund capital expenditure.
Cost: ÂŁ22,000 in 2012/13, ÂŁ123,000 in 2013/14 and ongoing
Car parking strategy
In December the council agreed to increase some charges for one year. The cabinet proposes to undertake a review of its medium term car parking strategy including consultation with interesting communities. There will be consideration of a match day parking scheme in the area around Deepdale Stadium.
Cost: ÂŁ25,000 in 2012/13 only
Grants to the community and voluntary sectorÂ
The council has proposed to delay the previous budget reduction by ÂŁ20,000 in 2012. This will be funded by money saved from November strike action.
Cost: ÂŁ20,000 in 2012/13 only
Funeral support fund
The council has frozen fees for cremations and burials in 2012/13 and increase fees in 2013/14. They have also proposed a funeral support fund for families who struggle to meet the costs of a funeral.
Cost: ÂŁ40,000 – ÂŁ10,000 per year from 2012 – 2016
Promoting Your City
The cabinet has proposed to set aside some funds to ensure the council can use the Guild, open golf and Pendle witches to promote Preston as “open for business”.
Cost: ÂŁ30,000 in 2012/13 only
Capital Spending
St. Paul’s Road development
Developing the St. Paul’s Road/Argyll Road site for affordable and social housing.
Cost: ÂŁ50,000 in 2012/13 only
Renewable energy
Carry out investigations into the generation of renewable energy by wind, solar and other sources.
Cost: ÂŁ325,000 in 2012/13 only
Fulwood and West View Leisure Centre
Investing in fitness equipment at both Fulwood and West View Leisure Centre to ensure up to date equipment.
Cost: ÂŁ469,000 in 2012/13 onlyÂ
Development of retail market hall, covered markets, market carpark
Cost: ÂŁ330,000 in 2012/13 onlyÂ
What do you think of the council’s spending proposals? Do you think the money has been invested wisely, or should it be distributed elsewhere?
Tomorrow I’ll be analysing the areas that the council proposes to save money.Â