A budget that protects vital services to local people

This page is part of the news archive and for reference only

The Executive Board at East Lindsey District Council has today (February 15) agreed to propose a budget to Council that will protect services and freeze Council Tax for 2011/12.

On December 14, 2010, the Government announced that East Lindsey District Council would see a reduction in funding of £2.2m in 2011/12 and a further £1.7m the year after.

Portfolio Holder for Finance at the Council, Councillor Colin Davie, said: “With significant reductions in our funding we’ve been clear from the outset that our number one priority is to protect the vital services to our community. This budget achieves that.

“It is also good news that we’ve been able to freeze Council Tax for 2011/12, which will be a welcome relief to those living in East Lindsey.”

In the coming year the Council will be investing in flood relief and economic development, as well as improving the service it gives to people who find themselves homeless.

Councillor Davie outlined some of the savings: “Our biggest saving of £1.4m will come from the formation of Compass Point Business Services a pioneering project with South Holland District Council where we are sharing back office services. We will also make a saving of £273k following the deletion of a number of senior management posts. Another £100k will come from the recent refuse round restructure and a further £70k from Area Based Working in our Street Scene Teams. These are just some of the efficiency saving we’re making and there’s more we need to drive out of services by eradicating unnecessary spend and ensuring we’re providing the best value for money we can.”

Councillor Davie’s budget proposal, which outlines how the Council intends to make savings in the year ahead, will go before a meeting of full Council on March 2, 2011.

The full Executive Board report can be viewed at www.e-lindsey.gov.uk