7:00am Wednesday 1st October 2008
BOURNEMOUTH council is feeling the squeeze from the credit crunch, finding it difficult to collect council tax and paying out more money in housing benefits.
Other pressures include a reduction in planning application fees and fewer people using council car parks, thought to be a result of the introduction of free bus travel.
A financial report to councillors reveals that Bournemouth is currently set to end the financial year £2.5 million over budget.
And in a bid to generate more cash and balance the books, residents could be hit with a hike in council charges and fees.
Senior officers have all been warned that their departments must come within budget by the end of March - even if that means increasing fees by more than 2.5 per cent.
Officers have also compiled a long list of proposed "efficiency savings", which include closing the Kings Park mini household recycling site, reducing the frequency of emptying litter bins and closing half of the town's toilets.
The report, which will be considered by the council's administration and value for money overview panel next Thursday, states: "Bournemouth, like many other local authorities responsible for council tax collection, are experiencing increasing difficulties with regard to council tax collection in the current economic climate."
It adds that other potential pressures are the collection of business rates, housing and council tax benefits, homelessness and land charges.
The report states: "Budget performance in recent years has indicated that some business units have struggled to deliver their income targets.
"To manage any budget gap, service directors should consider increasing some fees and charges by more than 2.5 per cent, implementing new fees and charges, restructuring fees and charges or alternative budget savings."
Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of the council, played down the difficulties in collecting council tax, saying the full picture is not yet known.
He criticised the government for not acknowledging the financial pressures local authorities were under but insisted he still expected the council to stick to its budget.
"I am confident that officers and members working together will achieve that," he said.
woodyinparkstone, parkstone says...
7:47am Wed 1 Oct 08
wonderway, boscombe says...
7:57am Wed 1 Oct 08
MattyNeth, Bournemouth says...
9:42am Wed 1 Oct 08
Richard Mayes, says...
9:51am Wed 1 Oct 08
Geoff, Kinson says...
9:52am Wed 1 Oct 08
MattyNeth wrote:The Council has already made huge budget cuts in most departments !
Here's a novel idea. Why don't the council actually look to reduce overheads? Merge departments, cut headcount instead of constantly raising taxes/fees. Scrap the final salary pension which is a HUGE drain on finance and install a contribution based pension. If the council were a private company headcount could be cut 30-40% easily.
Richard Mayes, says...
9:57am Wed 1 Oct 08
Geoff wrote:But still have a twenty percent poorer productivity level than the Private Sector.
MattyNeth wrote: Here's a novel idea. Why don't the council actually look to reduce overheads? Merge departments, cut headcount instead of constantly raising taxes/fees. Scrap the final salary pension which is a HUGE drain on finance and install a contribution based pension. If the council were a private company headcount could be cut 30-40% easily.The Council has already made huge budget cuts in most departments !
adrian fudge, boscombe east says...
10:05am Wed 1 Oct 08
Paul, Christchurch says...
10:11am Wed 1 Oct 08
Steve, Ensbury Park says...
10:19am Wed 1 Oct 08
Officers have also compiled a long list of proposed "efficiency savings", which include closing the Kings Park mini household recycling site, reducing the frequency of emptying litter bins and closing half of the town's toilets.
MarcusD, Bournemouth says...
10:20am Wed 1 Oct 08
woodyinparkstone, parkstone says...
10:56am Wed 1 Oct 08
Paul wrote:Never mind asking the local commerce how much they benefited from the airshow. How about asking the local population MANY WHO ARE ELDERLY and cant afford to heat there homes this winter because of having to pay the high price of council tax. Are you not aware that we are in a recession. If the council want to spend 300 thousand pound of council tax money on an airshow then they should not be in the red with there budgets. That is not rocket science
Some of you lot are unreal! "finding it difficult to collect council tax and paying out more money in housing benefits" How is that the local council's fault? Ferret37 - It's people like you then that are adding to the council tax bill! Woody - 'wasted public money on the free airshow' ???speak to the local commerce sector and they will tell you how pleased they were at the levels of income that were generated.
snoff, Poole says...
11:22am Wed 1 Oct 08
woodyinparkstone, parkstone says...
11:30am Wed 1 Oct 08
snoff wrote:At least the reef is something that is permanent and not just for a few days.
As I have said before, well done for the air show, put a smile on thousands of peoples faces. Look forward to next year! How predictable some of the posts on here are... Bring on the reef too! :)
Jayteer, Bournemouth says...
11:36am Wed 1 Oct 08
If the council want to spend 300 thousand pound of council tax money on an airshow then they should not be in the red with there budgets. That is not rocket science
Quakers, Poole says...
12:40pm Wed 1 Oct 08
John, Poole says...
12:52pm Wed 1 Oct 08
snoff wrote:Did you mean Bring on the wreath too?!
As I have said before, well done for the air show, put a smile on thousands of peoples faces. Look forward to next year! How predictable some of the posts on here are... Bring on the reef too! :)
enid, Bournemouth says...
1:17pm Wed 1 Oct 08
John, Poole says...
1:26pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Senior officers have all been warned that their departments must come within budget by the end of March - even if that means increasing fees by more than 2.5 per cent.
adrian fudge, boscombe east says...
3:15pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Quakers wrote:I think you should look back and see over the years the amout of allowances I claimed which shoots your argument in the foot
The Council has a responsibility to encourage income into the town which the air show did. So many locals benefitted - ok a few old people will get cold this Winter but at least some of the Town Centre holidays can now afford to pay their business rate which will help fund Council services. The Lib Dems cant really hold their heads high on this Mr fudge. You were all eating from the same trough - outrageous increases.
Bigtone, Poole says...
3:32pm Wed 1 Oct 08
kath_n_keith, Slades Farm says...
9:32pm Wed 1 Oct 08
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Ferret37, Bos Vegas says...
7:39am Wed 1 Oct 08