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Council to stop maintaining buildings, roads & parks
All Bristol City Council maintenance of buildings, roads and parks will stop unless there is a risk to people’s health or safety, as the council works to balance its annual budget.
A freeze on non-essential spending is in place in preparation for a five-year £92m financial gap from April 2017. The council will also stop recruiting any permanent or temporary roles unless they provide legally-required services.
“This temporary spending freeze is about focusing everyone on the challenge we face whilst also making more immediate savings,” says Bristol mayor Marvin Rees.
is needed now More than ever
“Like most councils we need strong plans to deal with our finances whilst investing in our long term future.
“In Bristol this is about building a fairer, more inclusive city which connects people with homes, jobs, opportunities and each other. This includes fulfilling my election pledges and lobbying the government for a better deal and more powers.
“The current process is painful but necessary. The cost of not balancing our budget would be far higher and I do not just want to store up problems. We must be financially responsible and challenge our spending.”
Read the council’s existing savings proposals, have your say and submit new ideas at www.bristol.gov.uk/corpstrategy. A public consultation on the draft Corporate Strategy is open until Thursday 5 January 5, 2017.
Read more: Balancing Bristol’s budget – over to you
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