News / Politics
How would you spend ?3.9m of council money?
Councillors have lined up to suggest ways the extra £3.9million Bristol City Council has to spend in the coming year.
On Monday, the mayor George Ferguson launched a public consultation on how the money raised through a crackdown on single person council tax discounts could be spent.
He came up with a set of seven proposals, which ranged from a £500,000 grant programme for European Green Capital “legacy projects”, to £100,000 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the first Lord Mayor of Bristol and 250 years of the Bristol Old Vic.
Liberal Democrat group leader councillor Gary Hopkins said some parts of the city would be “furious” that public money was being spent on celebrating the ceremonial role.
Cllr Hopkins and the other parties have suggested a range of different ways the money – which accounts for barely one per cent of the council’s overall budget – could be spent.
Labour
Say services like children’s centres, parks, pest control and the hardship fund should be prioritised over the mayor’s “pet projects”
Liberal Democrats
Insist that planned 1.95 per cent council tax rise should be stopped saying many people are “already struggling to pay”.
Conservatives
Calling on the mayor to take seriously a range of measures, including the budget cut on the city’s library service reversed, more money for park improvements, rail investment, helping those on welfare make the transition to work and good-quality retirement housing.
Greens
Want extra money for public transport and parks and green spaces. Proposals are due to come about providing free bus passes for young people during the 2015 European Green Capital year.
People can take part in the consultation by visiting www.bristol.gov.uk/budget. Paper copies are available in local libraries and Citizen Service Points across the city. They can also be requested by post by contacting 0117 922 2848.
The consultation closes on December 29. The mayor will present his final draft budget at cabinet on January 13, which will then be considered by full council on February 17. Approval of the budget requires the majority vote of full council.
What do you think the money should be spent on? Let us know in the comments section below…
Picture: ppart / Shutterstock
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