Unfortunately the downturn in the global economy is having a knock-on effect upon us all and this affects the money that is available to deliver local services.
Although demand continues to grow for many of our services, often as a direct result of the wider economy, the money that is available to deliver these services continues to fall.
Like all councils across the country, we face the prospect of making significant reductions in spending again next year. At the same time we seek to protect the essential services that make the biggest difference to the most vulnerable members of our community.
During the next three years Kingston Council will experience a 19% reduction in funding to provide essential local services (following a 13.8% reduction in the current year). Such a large reduction means we need to consider changes in the way we deliver services. In some cases we will need to carefully consider whether we can provide a particular service at all. We would like your help in making these important decisions.
Members of the public were able to comment on the plan by completing our online consultation. The consultation closed on 31 January 2012.
If you would like to read further information on how the Council’s budget is currently made up and the level of reductions we will need to make from April 2012, please see:
The Budget Consultation is available in PDF for those that wish to print the form and return by post.