Final week of Wrexham Council’s budget consultation: 2800 people have had their say, have you had yours?

Have you had your say on Wrexham Council’s proposals to make savings / cuts of £13 million over the next two years? You have just over a week left to do so!

So far 2,800 people have taken part in the Difficult Decisions budget consultation – which equates to just 2.07% of Wrexham’s population.

Since 2008 Wrexham Council have made £52 million of cuts, however over the next two years it is looking to make further savings of £13 million between 2018-2020.

Such proposals include: 

– Withdrawing Wrexham Council’s funding for school music services: It is estimated this could generate savings of approximately £300,000 in 2019/20.
– Introduction of a £30 yearly charge for the collection of additional green waste bins: It is estimated this could generate additional income of approximately £15,000 in 2018/19
– Revoke free parking for blue badge holders in council car parks: It is estimated this could generate additional income of approximately £25,000 in 2018/19
– Review of library services
– Scrapping PCSO funding: It is estimated this could generate savings of approximately £140,000 in 2018/19 and a further £140,000 in 2019/20

Earlier this month Wrexham.com reported that Council Leader Mark Pritchard had said that while he was “delighted by the conversation on social media” about the consultation, he would urge “every resident of Wrexham to take some time to fill out the consultation”.

Speaking at the time, Cllr Pritchard also encouraged the “normal people” in Wrexham to respond to the consultation, stating: “We know the views of the political activists and politicians, they have made their positions clear. We want to get to the people of mine, Dave’s, Helen’s communities and get their views.

“We know what the activists say and do on social media, but we want to hear from the Mrs Jones or Mr Williams of Wrexham. We want to have a broad understanding. It is not about just hearing from those who shout the loudest.

“We want to hear so we can try and make a decision that fits what the people of Wrexham want to retain and keep.”

Social media comments on Facebook and Twitter do not count as giving a formal response – so if there is something (or several things) in the consultation that you strongly agree or disagree with, make sure you let Wrexham Council know your opinions via the consultation!

The consultation closes on 30 November 2017 with a report going to Executive Board in January.

There are a number of ways you can let Wrexham Council know what you think of the proposals:

– Please complete the survey – either online or in paper version to say what extent you agree with the proposals Wrexham Council are making.
– There will be more detailed consultations conducted with service users for some of these proposals – which will also contribute to the decision making process.
– You could also write to ‘Tell Us What You Think’. 3rd Floor Annex. The Guildhall. Wrexham. LL11 1AY
– Or email [email protected] (please mark your correspondence ‘Difficult Decisions’)

The responses submitted will help the decision making process for the new budget in January / February 2018.

A document outlining Wrexham Council’s proposals can be found here. You can fill in the online consultation here and you have until November 30th to do so!