Help the Lib Dem Council spend YOUR money

10.26.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 26th Aug 2006

The Lib Dems are involving YOU in spending YOUR Council Tax

Your Lib Dem Council is calling for 300 Bournemouth residents to help them spend YOUR money through a series of Budget Consultation workshops being held between 6 and 9 September.

At the workshops you'll be able to say which services you value most and which services you think should take priority over others. Feedback from the workshops will help inform decisions your Councillors make about future spending plans or changes in services.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Cllr Andrew Garratt says:

"Once again the Liberal Democrats are showing how local people can get involved in Council decisions. Setting the Council Tax has to be the hardest one of all and, with the help of local residents, we have set lower and lower rises since coming to power. This year's rise was just 3.4%.

"We all remember how Council Tax rocketed under the high tax Tories - by nearly 50% from 1999 to 2003. In their last year in power they put up Council Tax by over 14% all in one go!

"The Lib Dems are listening to local residents. We've set low council taxes and improved services, like boosting CCTV, revamping recycling and helping vulnerable people of all ages."

HOW THE WORKSHOPS WORK...

During the workshops you will be given points to 'spend' and asked to decide what levels of various services you want to 'buy' with your points. As in the real world where there is never enough money for everything, you will not be given enough points to buy all the services you would like. You will need to think hard about where your priorities really lie.

The Council will be running six workshops at various times between 6 and 9 September with about 50 participants at each workshop. The consultation is an individual exercise not a group one, so you won't be expected to stand up and speak in front of others. Each workshop will last about an hour and a quarter and will be held at the Bournemouth Learning Centre in Ensbury Park.

• If you would like any further information about the Budget Consultation Workshops please feel free to contact Claire Cockburn or another member of the Consultation team on 01202 454962.

• As a 'thank you' for your time and to cover any expenses incurred you'll also get a £10 voucher to spend at ASDA Castlepoint.

Related Link:

Apply online to take part in your Lib Dem Council's Budget Workshops.