York Liberal Democrats

5% Council Tax rise backed - £1/4 million savings on administration announced

York residents have voted by substantial 2:1 majority in favour of a 5% increase in Council Tax next year. The result was announced today as the counting of over 7000 returned ballot cards concluded.

There was also a big thumbs up for the exercise from participants with 62% saying that they wanted to be consulted in a similar way before next years tax decision is made.

Costs of the exercise are likely to be considerably less than the forecast £10,000 as many respondents used stamps when returning their cards thus avoiding the Council having to pay FREEPOST charges.

Steve Galloway, the Councils Liberal Democrat Leader, comments,

" We are delighted to be in the forefront of the campaign to give residents more say over the key decisions that affect their lives. As with any other ground breaking initiative, I am sure that we can improve the process for next year, but no Council in the country has provided residents with as much information about the choices that face the authority……or so far in advance of the final budget decision being taken.

We have seen a generally well informed debate and a conclusive result. We will respect the view that has been expressed".

Over 1000 residents accessed the Councils specially set up web page which expanded upon the budget details contained in a newsletter which was distributed to each household in the City.

"Anyone who included a constructive comment on their ballot card can be assured that we will take the suggestion into account as we proceed with our ongoing review of the Councils finances, our processes and our priorities.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the process used, and suggest improvements for any future consultation arrangements, should Email their comments to me at Cllr.stephengalloway@york .gov.uk."

In the run up to setting the 2004 budget, the new Liberal Democrat administration in York also undertook a consultation exercise - asking, residents with the aid of the local media, to give their views on priorities and, specifically, where they felt that any efficiency savings might be made.

Around 180 responses were received and it was partly this relative lack of interest which led to the introduction of the more structured "Tax Poll".

The residents decision does, however, mean that there will be some reductions in Council service standards and the Liberal Democrat Council has announced today some of its proposals to save money.

Around £¼ million will be saved in the Deputy Chief Executives department and there will be a further £111,000 saving on economic development activities. The latter equates to about 5% of the budgets for the promotion of both tourism and available development sites in the City.

Contrary to some speculation, the budget does include an increase, of £25,000, for investment in crime control.

Steve Galloway comments "We have two top priorities. Taking a pride in our City and ensuring that we have a SAFE CITY"

During the current year the Council has invested heavily in making our community safer. Initiatives, which will all be sustained in 2005, include:

î Provision of an alley-gating officer who seeks to make access and escape more difficult for burglars

î 24 hours an day CCTV coverage (including all city centre car parks)

î Ward Committee sanctioned expenditure on community ranger patrols and additional police community support officers

î A support fund which was used to purchase digital evidence gathering cameras

î A target hardening fund

î A Council solicitor preparing documentation for Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs)

Discussions will take place during January about the future structure of the Safer York Partnership with a view to producing an effective, streamlined, approach.

"We see the main Safe City objective, during the forthcoming year, being to make greater inroads into improving street level behaviour standards. Key issues will include:

· reducing instances of violence

· reducing alcohol and drug related crime

· Reducing the level of vandalism, abusive behaviour and graffiti

· Reducing "joy riding" and speeding problems

· Reducing low level anti social behaviour such cycling on footpaths and parking on verges & footpaths

"York is already a relatively Safe City. We now need to consolidate the major reduction in most forms of crime that we have seen this year. We need to hold those gains while moving on to deal with some of the more intractable problems. To this end we are providing an increase in resources for our Safe City campaign"

Poll-cards received as at 07/01/05: 7056 (9% of households)

% preferences:

5% rise - 54%

7.5% - 17%

10% - 12%

No rise -10%

In line with inflation -3%

Spoiled - 4%

% saying yes to being consulted in similar manner next year - 62%

% saying no - 38%