Peterborough's council tax set for second hike
COUNCIL tax could go up by 2.5 per cent for the second year and further job cuts are on the horizon as Peterborough City Council fights the recession.
COUNCIL tax could go up by 2.5 per cent for the second year and further job cuts are on the horizon as Peterborough City Council fights the recession.The council is bracing itself for a cut in funding following the 2010 General Election and has included 15 million of savings in its budget for 2010/11 which was announced today.
This will include handing over waste collection and street cleaning services to a private company during the year.
Director of strategic resources John Harrison said the savings will inevitably result in some job losses - on top of the 400 announced in February.
Pending approval from full council in February and the cabinet next Tuesday, the average band D council tax bill will rise by 27, from 1,068 in 2008/09 to 1,095 in 2010/11.
Around 6million of the cash saved will be put back into city projects.
Council leader Marco Cereste said people should be "over the moon" with the budget and played down the impact it could have on jobs.
He said: "We are 4million light on what we should get from the Government yet it is still probably one of the lowest council taxes in the country.
"The single most important thing is getting our education right, we will be providing funding to build two new schools as well as converting another two and we will give extra support in schools to give children opportunities to reach their potential.
"I think people should be absolutely over the moon with this budget. If I could repeat it in 2011/12 then I would be the happiest person on earth as things are going to be really difficult then. There may be a few job losses but it's more than likely this will be covered by the normal churn, as people leave."
The new schools will be the Ormiston Bushfield Academy, a project that has been well publicised in the past, but also the re-opening of the former Hereward College, in Reeves Way, to meet extra need for high school places.
The city's commitment to environmental projects looks set to continue, with investment set aside.
A council spokesman said: "Our aim is always to keep council tax as low as possible.
"This increase goes towards funding services in the city. Had the council received the 4 million Government money the increase would have been less."
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Areas of investment
DESPITE savings having to be made in Peterborough City Council's budget, several areas will benefit from extra investment.
Education is the big winner, it's 118million representing a large bulk of the 256million budget.
Some of the cash will be used to build two new schools – Ormiston Bushfield Academy and Hereward College – as well as rebuilds of Stanground College and improvements at Orton Longueville School.
A city-wide reinvestment in school computers is also budgeted.
The city's adult social care service, told to improve by the Care Quality Commission, will receive a 500,000 funding boost.
The first stage of the 1.95billion Integrated Development Programme for the city's infrastructure also looks set to get underway with cash available for a water taxi park-and-ride scheme along the River Nene.
Free Wi-Fi internet connections in the city centre are also planned, while 25,000 could be given to each new Community Neighbourhood Council.
Job losses expected in 'back office' services at city council
ANY job losses that come in the wake of the 2010/11 Peterborough City Council budget are likely to fall in its back office services.
Efficiency savings in the council's ICT, procurement, highways and city services departments will be made, though other departments may also be affected.
One area which is likely to see some loss of personnel is the council's Urban Regeneration Company Opportunity Peterborough.
The company will have its remit refocused from regeneration projects to encouraging investors to the city.
Its regeneration employees will transfer back to the council, which will be looking to get the North Westgate and South Bank developments underway.
But there will not be enough positions in the council's regeneration team, so some of the 24 workers at Opportunity Peterborough could lose their jobs.
The council said that giving its waste and street sweeping responsibilities to a private contractor would provide a "more agile" service which would generate extra funds for the city.
The authority is also planning to work in partnership with several other agencies to save money on some services.
One result could be that maintenance of highways may be shared with private companies.
Work with neighbouring councils could also help make savings and negotiations are continuing with neighbouring chief executives.
Plans for a food waste recycling centre have been mothballed for at least a year, but the 58 million waste to energy centre, in Fengate, will go ahead.
A dedicated team will also be set up to work on the project to bring a university to the city.
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Thursday 29 July 2010
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