What matters most
We want you to be involved in making spending decisions
The economic recession is having wide-reaching effects on us all.
Not only are some taxes such as VAT being increased, but public spending is being reduced.
It is now clear that the amount of money councils receive from national government may reduce every year for at least the next four or five years. The reduction in public spending in Scotland could be in the region of £4.6 billion.
Here in Edinburgh, this reduction will happen at a time when demand for some services is increasing. Evidence shows increases in the numbers of vulnerable children, adults with disabilities and elderly people, especially the over 85 group, who need home care or residential accommodation.
The Council now faces having to make savings of at least £90million in the next three years but protecting essential services to our most vulnerable residents, education and child protection remain our highest priority.
The decisions we take on savings will result in noticeable changes to some services, so we want to know what people think before we make firm decisions.
We want to hear the views of any person or group with an interest in the Council’s services – Edinburgh residents, service users, voluntary groups, local businesses, other public sector bodies, trade unions and our employees.
There will be lots of opportunities for people to think about some of the options. These are set out on these special Outlook budget pages.
We look forward to hearing your views.
Help us decide... be informed, be involved
Why?
The scale of the savings makes it vital that you are involved in the decision making that is right for you and your city/community. The priorities you feed back will inform the decision making and we will let you know how that develops in the next Outlook, on our website and through many other channels.
What?
Six interactive local summits in each of the Neighbourhood Management areas in late September and October will culminate in a city summit. A cross section of all communities has been invited. Numbers are limited because of venue capacity but there are 20 places reserved for the public (to be allocated once numbers are clear). As Outlook is not distributed until 13-20 September we have promoted this online and via your neighbourhood teams.
A pack will be available to other groups or individuals. Instructions in the pack will help you do your own mini summit … or you can just read the information as an individual and feed back your priorities.
How?
Key themes will be outlined both at summit meetings and within engagement packs. At the local meetings we will use voting pads to record your views and priorities.
Online, e-mail and postal participation will use budget information and survey forms to answer the same questions.
By registering, we can also make sure that we can send you updates.
The budget engagement programme details are available on the Council’s website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/budget
Leaflets and information posters are also available in Council offices.
You can get in touch by post at Freepost RSJC-SLXC-YTJY, Budget, Council Leader, City Chambers, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ or by e-mail at councilbudget@edinburgh.gov.uk
When and where?
Local summits 6.30 for 7pm, until 9pm
• South West – Wed 15 Sep, St Bride’s CC
• West – Wed 22 Sep, Davidson’s Mains Parish Church
• South – Thur 23 Sep, Southside Community Centre
• East – Wed 29 Sep, Royal High Primary School
• North – Tues 5 Oct, Drylaw Church
• City Centre and Leith – Wed 6 Oct, Drummond Community High School City summit, 9am
• The Scotsman HQ, Holyrood Road - Fri 15 Oct
10 things you need to know
1. The Council has sound financial management and will deliver a balanced budget in 2010-11.
2. Edinburgh has the lowest Council tax of all four major Scottish cities and Council tax has been frozen for three years.
3. The Council receives 77 per cent of its funding for running day-to-day services, excluding council housing, from the Scottish Government and 23 per cent from Council tax.
4. Current estimates indicate that we will have to make savings of at least £90 million between 2011 and 2014 - a 12 per cent reduction. The level of savings needed could increase, depending on decisions made later this year about how much funding should be provided to councils.
5. The Council has a good record of improving efficiency and making savings - £90 million in savings have been achieved between 2006 and 2009. More efficiency savings will not close the gap.
6. The savings needed cannot be taken from large 'capital funded' projects such as Edinburgh trams.
7. Budget reductions mean major changes - some services will reduce, some cease and some merge.
8. We will continue to reduce the number of managers and staff we employ.
9. We are committed to protecting essential services, but are planning ahead and want to know what you think about options that will have to be considered to do this.
10. The Council budget for 2010/11 is £1,038.2 million. Council tax makes up 22 per cent (£226.9m) of this, with 60 per cent coming from government grants and 18 per cent from non-domestic rates.
PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOUR THINK
Difficult choices have to be faced by the Council in the next few months. To let us know your views on some of the key issues and help us make the difficult choices ahead, please answer the following eight questions.
Please download the survey in Adobe™ PDF or Word document format and send your completed form to: Freepost RSJC-SLXC-YTJY, Budget, Council Leader, City Chambers, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ or e-mail your answers to councilbudget@edinburgh.gov.uk