A BUDGET which surrenders assets, raises charges, cuts services and raids balances in a bid to make £2.8million in savings over four years was successfully piloted through Redditch Borough Council on Monday night.
The drastic actions were prompted by swingeing Government cuts in support grants which have seen Redditch go from receiving £4million to, by 2021, actually paying the Government an estimated £300,000.
The result is that:
– The council will surrender its interests in the Kingsley and Arrow Vale sports centres – saving nearly £150,000 – but a casualty could be the weekend closure of Kingsley swimming pool.
– Charges for Shopmobility are to be introduced – A £10 annual registration fee plus £2 per visit for residents, £3 for non residents, £5 for those who don’t register – cutting the current £69,000 subsidy by £40,000.
– Axing the pre-9.30am concessionary bus pass for pensioners, saving £85,000.
– Procurement efficiencies, staff turnover savings and management restructure should save £190,000.
– £75,000 set aside to investigate the creation of a leisure trust to run the Palace Theatre, Pitcheroak Golf Course, Forge Mill Museum, community centres and the Abbey Stadium – expected to bring in £440,000 by 2018/19.
That £75,000 is included in a £400, 000 raid on balances over four years to keep other other services going, like the provision of free swimming Morton Stanley Festival and the Arrow Valley firework display.
The council also rejected calls to move to one election every four years rather than electing the council in thirds, Council leader Councillor Bill Hartnett (Lab, Church Hill) saying the authority should always be answerable to the people.
