Budget 2006-07 - Lib Dems Listen to People

4.13.04pm GMT Mon 6th Feb 2006

Milton Keynes Council's Liberal Democrat administration has confirmed that it will be recommending a 4.95% council tax increase. Following close of the public consultation and final confirmation of government funding, including £3.5 million Transitional Income Support (TIS) to help cover the Council's growth costs, the Cabinet will be publishing its proposed budget details on 13 February.

The results of the public consultation show that four out of every five people who responded are willing to pay the proposed 4.95% increase, or more, to protect their services. "We are delighted that local taxpayers value the services that the Liberal Democrat Council provides," commented Council Leader, Isobel McCall.

"It is always difficult for councillors to judge the balance between council tax rates that people are willing to pay and the level of services that they expect. The public consultation has clearly shown that local people want a good level of services. We are making some small changes to the budget to show we have listened to what people have said."

As a result of prudent management of this year's budget, there is a small additional amount available for next year to reinstate some of the proposed cuts about which the public expressed particular concern:

• Community safety wardens £150,000

• Landscaping emergency works £50,000

• Footway sealing programme £30,000

• Verge maintenance £10,000

• Watercourse clearance £10,000

• Grants to youth centres £13,500

• Thames Valley youth games £2,000

• Voluntary sector education grants £1,200

All of these reinstatements total £266,700.

"The public have made it clear that they don't wish landscaping and footpath maintenance to be cut, so we are using some of the additional money that has become available since December to respond to the council taxpayers priorities. There has also been concern about the proposed cutting of the community safety warden scheme, which the Government will stop funding in March. As dealing with crime and the fear of crime is a Council priority, we have taken the decision that the Council should pick up part of the funding to enable the scheme to continue," said Isobel McCall.