Have your say on council cash plans
RESIDENTS, council tenants and organisations in West Lancashire are urged to take the opportunity to give their views on the borough council’s proposals for savings, efficiencies and increases in income before the surveys close on September 4.
People can give their views through the Council website www.westlancs.gov.uk/yourviews, where more information is provided about the proposals.
The borough council is inviting views from residents, along with local organisations and businesses, on proposals totalling more than £750,000 in the general revenue budget.
Some of the main proposals are: introducing an annual charge of £30 to collect garden waste; stopping garden waste collections during the winter; modest reductions in the number of CCTV cameras and in-live monitoring; a review of street cleaning work.
At the same time, council tenants are asked to give their views on housing budget proposals totalling more than £6 million over the next three years. Some of the main proposals are: removal of the mains water replacement programme; revising the Disabled Adaptations policy to make better use of housing stock; removal of the programme to replace fencing and paving and replacing it with cyclical repairs; introducing a nominal charge for the gardening service.
Cllr Chris Wynn, portfolio holder for finance, said: “The council faces some tough decisions and it is very important that people take the opportunity to give their views so the council can take them into account when those decisions are made.
“I urge any residents and organisations who have not yet taken part in this consultation to visit the website and let us know what they think.”
Councillor Jenny Patterson, portfolio holder for Housing and Landlord Services, said: “The housing budget faces a significant budget gap and we have proposed measures we believe will minimise the effect on tenants of having to bridge this gap. I urge council tenants to give their views so we can take them into account when we make decisions.”
Visit the council website www. westlancs.gov.uk/yourviews Comments can also be submitted by letter and email, and paper copies of the surveys can be provided.
Council tenants who do not have access to the internet can request a printed copy of the proposals by calling 01695 585 141.
Tenants can also send their comments in writing to Housing Revenue Budget Consultation, Housing and Inclusion Services, 49-51 Westgate, Skelmersdale, WN8 8LP.