Revised Budget Consultation Details – Have you say on taking the Trafford Pound Further

Trafford Council is encouraging local residents to have their say on the future of their Borough, by attending the upcoming budget consultation at Altrincham Town Hall.

Originally planned at Sale Waterside, this budget consultation will now be held at Altrincham Town Hall on Saturday 3^rd December 10.30am -12 noon (please see venue details below).

Local residents and businesses are encouraged to attend in order to not only receive information but to also assist the Council in shaping the future of Trafford, prior to announcing their final budget proposals in February 2017.

The budget consultation process also allows residents and businesses the opportunity to provide feedback online via www.trafford.gov.uk/budget.

Since 2010, the Council has achieved savings of £113m. However, with continuing austerity measures, rising demand on services and the changes to government funding, further decisions are needed to achieve the necessary £22m savings in 2017/18, out of a total of £42m over the next three years.

Providing residents with a value for money service that is sustainable and offers the best possible results will be the main focus. In difficult times, the Council’s ability to work innovatively, creatively and in collaboration with key partners is paramount to maintain an efficient service delivery to local people over the next three years.

Trafford Council’s spending plans are essentially about making the Trafford Pound go further. Through careful cost saving efficiencies, increasing income revenue and ensuring front line services are value for money and cost efficient, the Council can plan for the future whilst still balancing its budget.

Councillor Sean Anstee, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “The decision to deliver a budget strategy encompassing our plans for the next three years is key to outlining the dedication of Trafford Council to investing in the future of all residents and businesses. We want to take the Trafford Pound further, make it more effective in the way we budget and use it for planning for the future, so that employment, housing and investment opportunities are in place to continue to grow Trafford as the economic powerhouse of Greater Manchester it has become.”

Throughout the budgeting process, it is essential residents and businesses have their say in order to ensure outcomes and decisions are, wherever possible, a reflection of their priorities and needs.

“There remain difficult financial decisions to be made to achieve savings over the next three years, whilst still providing the best possible services. We want to show Trafford residents that by investing in, and developing a range of services including joined-up healthcare provision and delivery of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (the framework that will provide the context for future growth), we are committed to supporting the borough to flourish.”

As part of the budget planning and its infrastructure plans for the future, the Council is also proposing unprecedented investment of £24m in a new leisure strategy for Trafford. The proposal will create leisure facilities to give Trafford residents the opportunity to lead healthier lives. The new facilities will also provide the Council with income generation opportunities. The proposed leisure strategy, which is called Increasing Physical Activity across the Borough, will be put before a meeting of the Council Executive on the same day as the budget proposals, is part of the Council’s forward thinking plans for creating investment, employment and healthier lives opportunities for the borough.

Councillor Anstee continued: “We are an open and transparent council and one that welcomes the views of our residents in our decision making process.  By having their say, our residents and local businesses can be confident that we will carefully consider their comments. In order to deliver a successful budget, it needs to meet the hopes and aspirations of our residents, protect jobs and maintain services.”

The revised details of the second budget consultation are below.