During the next few weeks, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Cabinet will be at venues across the city to answer questions from the public about its ‘Mandate for Change’ budget proposals for 2012 to 2013.
Cabinet members will visit community centres, sports centres, the Potteries Shopping Centre and other places to obtain feedback on the budget proposals.
The consultation will be launched on Thursday, 1st December during late night shopping outside the Potteries Shopping Centre between 6pm and 8pm.
Councillor Mohammed Pervez, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said:
“Over the next few weeks, we will be seeking feedback on the budget proposals from the public, elected members, staff, partners, MP’s and businesses in the city. We will be listening to their concerns and answering questions. We will also welcome any further suggestions on how the council can save money.
“We are committed to our Mandate for Change to make our city a great place to live and bring business. Last year we were faced with making £36m worth of cuts, and now we are faced with another huge task. However, this year our budget is not all about cuts; we are also saving to invest in our city to create the right conditions to stimulate the local economy.
“It is absolutely vital that the private sector kick starts the economic regeneration of our city. Businesses, small and large, need to stimulate growth through expansion and job creation. The recent government cuts to local authorities means that the public sector will not have the means to do this. We therefore need to give business confidence to invest in Stoke-on-Trent through our ability to manage large projects such as the £250m Building Schools for the Future scheme. The additional £5m savings will give us the resource we need to further build confidence and attract businesses willing to invest in our city.
“I have no doubt that year two of cuts is going to be very painful and tough with some extremely difficult decisions to be made on some equally worthy competing priorities.”
The budget proposals can be seen at www.stoke.gov.uk/budget2012.
The consultation will run until 23rd December. Details of the consultation events will be available on the city council’s website.
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