Bracknell

Businesses in the Bracknell Forest area are being urged to give their views as part of the Bracknell Council's public consultation on its spending and savings plans for the next financial year.

A special meeting for Bracknell business representatives to be given more detailed information about the budget situation and to feedback has been organised for January 23, as part of the wider public consultation.

The Bracknell Council is facing its biggest budget challenge yet and has put forward proposals to close a £6 million shortfall in the cost of providing services to the borough. The reasons for this situation are:

More people needing services provided for vulnerable Bracknell adults and children.

* Changes to the way Government funds councils which means the Council will receive a lower than inflation rise in its grant next year - a reduction in real terms.
* National increases in the cost of energy supplies such as gas.
* Increased costs for the supply of services such as street cleaning and refuse collection

Bracknell Forest has the lowest council tax of any unitary authority (£876 band D).

The Council has put forward proposals that aim to minimise the impact on frontline services and invest money in areas that local people have said are important.

Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of the Bracknell Council, said: "We will be lobbying the Government to get as good a deal as we can for Bracknell Forest. In the meantime we urge all businesses, as well as our residents, to take part in the public consultation and tell us what is important to them so we can make decisions based on what they want to see happen."

Full details of the budget proposals will be published on the Bracknell Council's website www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk for comments as part of the public consultation.

The meeting for businesses is being held on January 23, 2006, at 5.30pm in the Council Chamber, Easthampstead House, Town Square, Bracknell. Contact Derek Morgan derek.morgan@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or call 01344 352044.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council