The Policy and Budget Framework sets out the Council’s priorities and financial plans for the future. It focuses specifically on the Revenue Budget for the coming year 2011/12 but also an indication of the possible financial position for the following 2 years. It also indicates potential capital spending plans for the next 3 years, subject to the necessary capital funding being available.
This has been one of the most difficult years experienced by Babergh in terms of addressing the financial challenges posed by the public spending cuts and the need to find savings, efficiencies and additional income of around £1.6m in order to produce a balanced Budget for 2011/12.
Looking ahead to 2012/13 and beyond, given the deficit in public finances, there will undoubtedly be more difficult times ahead in terms of reducing Government grants, which could be as much as 35%-40% over the next 4 years. This will result in continuing pressures to find further significant savings, efficiencies and additional income.
We will continue to work very closely with our partners in developing a joint approach to service delivery and reducing costs, and specifically with Mid Suffolk District Council on our integration and merger plan.
We are committed to giving you services that offer the best value for money and we will continue to do all we can to keep Council Tax rises as low as possible while still delivering and improving our services.
More details of the specific revenue and capital spending plans on the Council’s services and projects are contained in the Policy and Budget Framework 2011/12, which can be accessed by clicking on the link below: