Tough choices

Beckenham public meeting notes

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Tough Choices public meeting at Citygate Church in Beckenham on Monday 28 November 2011. Your comments gave us a helpful insight into your views about some of the tough decisions that need to be made as we address the future budgetary challenges. Topics covered included:

Resources

  • Levels of funding received from central government
  • Potential freeze of Council tax in 2012/13
  • Using council reserves to prevent some cuts
  • Support for an increase of Council tax in 2012/12
  • Retaining council reserves for capital investment
  • Increased Council tax levels for higher earners
  • Identifying where previous savings have been made
  • Better communications around the levels of savings to be made
  • Council saying 'No' to unrealistic savings
  • Opportunities to make savings in services directly funded by the government
  • Staffing costs

Sustainabilty and environment

  • Importance of clean streets

Transport

  • School crossing patrols
  • Potential increase in parking permit changes

Town Centre developments

  • Tackling vacant premises in Beckenham High Street
  • Reconsidering redevelopment of Beckenham High Street

Young peoples's services

  • Reduction in school crossing patrols
  • Support young people to access volunteering opportunities

Social care/voluntary sector

  • Protecting services provided to the most vulnerable Bromley residents
  • Support to voluntary organisations providing services on behalf of the council.
  • Increased opportunities for Bromley residents to volunteer
  • Reviewing the way community services are delivered to support increased volunteering
  • Day centre provision for older people and people with learning disabilities
  • Ensure day centre service users are aware of any proposed changes to service provision
  • Concern around how council evaluates impact of service cuts on vulnerable groups
  • Concern that the threshold of need to qualify for care is not increased for elderly people
  • Support for small voluntary groups working in the community

Recreation

  • Maintaining the athletic facilities at Norman Park

Further consultation

The Leader invited further thoughts or comments to be sent to him at leader@bromley.gov.uk

The meeting ended at 9.08pm