The proposed budget includes:

• Further investment in services of £4.1m, including £370k for schools. The budget also proposes fully compensating schools for the teachers’ pay award agreed last year;
• £1m to support our looked-after children;
• An extra £200k to support the highways within the County Borough;
• £500k to assist services for older people;
• An increase in the average council tax level of 4.8%;

In addition, it suggests £2.45m in reductions in various service areas, a move designed to protect front line services.

At the same meeting the Cabinet also considered proposals for the council’s 10 year capital programme which includes plans to continue the modernisation of our schools, improvements to leisure and adult social care facilities, further investment in our highways infrastructure and the continued regeneration of the County Borough.

Commenting on the draft budget and capital programme, Leader Councillor Mel Nott said:

“We have worked especially hard with officers to come up with proposals which consider how we maintain levels of service for our residents, invest in services which assist those in greatest need and ensure the council delivers a balanced budget during these turbulent economic times. We believe that these budget suggestions balance those difficult and competing demands and I look forward to hearing views during this consultation period.”

He added: “I want to send a message to our communities that we are aware of the pressures which the current economic climate has brought and we are committed to delivering a budget in the best interests of all our residents and local businesses.

“In addition we are continuing to lead on and support a number of local initiatives designed to proactively help residents and businesses.”

The draft budget strategy will now be discussed more widely across the council and with partners before the final proposals are scheduled to be considered by full council on 10 February 2010.