Consultation on our Budget closed on 1 February 2013. All the responses we received have been passed to the relevant service area for consideration. A report detailing all of the responses to consultation will be written and provided to politicians who ultimately make the decision on the Budget at City Council on March 6 2013. A copy of this report will be published on our website, with all our other budget papers on 26 February 2013.
The public were officially invited today (Wed, Nov 28) to comment on proposed cuts of £90m over the next three years at Newcastle City Council.
The council agreed to formally consult on a package of cuts including library closures, services reductions and changes to leisure centres following a meeting of its Cabinet.
To view the budget proposals in full go to: www.newcastle.gov.uk/budget2016
Residents, businesses, voluntary and community groups can make their views known on the proposals in a range of ways until February 1 2013 when the consultation period officially closes.
To ensure that their voices are heard they are asked to use the council’s let’s talk website from where all information will be captured. There is a risk that information sent to the council outside of its official channels may not be taken into account.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Coun Nick Forbes, said: “We don’t want to cut services any more than those that are fighting to save them, but we are in this position because of the massive cuts in Government funding.
“Over the next three years the council’s budget will be cut by more than a third. As the majority of our funding comes from central Government, when they cut it we have no option but to cut services.
“In the past week I’ve had thousands of e-mails and scores of tweets from people unhappy about our proposals to close libraries. I would urge those same people to come forward and talk to us about how they think they can keep these facilities going.
“We don’t want to close them but given our statutory duties to care for older people, people with disabilities and learning difficulties and looked after children we can no longer fund all of these services together and tough decisions must be taken so we can set a legal budget.
“If people can channel their enthusiasm by coming up with workable proposals on how they can keep facilities and services going then we will work with them to avoid some closures - but we need to see a real commitment from residents and community groups now.
“In the meantime, I’ve demanded a meeting with David Cameron to explain to him the consequences for Newcastle of his Government’s unfair and deep cuts.”
To comment on the proposals go to www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/budget2016
Email us at letstalk@newcastle.gov.uk or write to let's talk, Room 161, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BN.
Alternatively attend one of our area events:
Or come along to an event that will focus on our proposals for libraries, arts, culture and museums, leisure services and customer services:
When consultation closes, council officers will produce an updated budget report for publication on February 18 which Cabinet will meet to consider on February 25 to recommend as the budget for 2013/2016.
The budget will then be approved by a meeting of City Council on Wednesday, March 6.
Page last updated: 2 February, 2013
