CBC Budget 2021 Consultation

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) are starting thier consultation on the draft 2021 budget proposals from Monday 4th January.  This process will run until 5pm on 27 January 2021 and will be widely promoted through digital and conventional communication channels.

Although the proposals are subject to Executive approval on Tuesday 5th January, they want to give residents as much time as possible to have their say on the proposals, therefore are opening the consultation for feedback from today.

The headlines from the reports are as follows:

• Anticipated spending of some £402million on a full range of services.
• Continuing to focus on efficiency with £10.7million of efficiency proposals for next year.
• Continue to face big increases in demands, particularly in Adult Social Care. Recognition of the pressures faced in key areas such as public health, social care and children’s services (including services for children with special educational needs/disabilities).  Also need to focus on economic recovery and supporting job creation.
• To bridge the gap between what is needed and what is anticipates in terms of income, CBC propose to:
  • apply the Adult Social Care Precept of a 3% increase on council tax to contribute towards funding care services, and
  • increase council tax by 1.95% for fund other services.
• Additionally, the consultation will highlight proposals for almost £128million of capital investments, including schools, roads, health and leisure and other infrastructure projects.

The consultation is available online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/budget2021.

CBC would normally make paper copies available in their offices, libraries and leisure centres however, this year, due to the pandemic this is not possible. Residents can request a paper copy by calling CBC on 0300 300 8000.

You can download and print copies of the consultation summary, questionnaire and poster to print and display using the link, however, if you would like us to send you printed copies please let us know via the following email address: communications@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Feedback from the consultation will be collated and presented to the February Executive, in advance of decision making on the finalised budget which will be recommended to Full Council.