Bracknell

More than 80% of people feel Bracknell Forest Borough Council provides value for money, according to a survey of residents.

Almost one third would be prepared to see Bracknell council tax rise more than 5% to keep services at current levels, a meeting of Bracknell Council's Executive heard last night (Tuesday). Just under half of residents (47%) said they would be willing to pay up to 5% more in council tax and see some service cuts.

As it faces its biggest budget challenge yet, Bracknell Council carried out extensive consultation with residents to find out their priorities and how much they are willing to pay for them.

Schools, the regeneration of Bracknell town centre, highways and footpaths and services to support children and young people were the most popular areas for increased funding.

Last night (Tuesday) Bracknell councillors on the Executive approved continued investment in key areas - reflecting the results of the consultation - despite the difficult financial year ahead.

These included:

•Highways, footways and cycleways £1.6 million

•Upgrading and maintaining school buildings £4.2 million

•Support to vulnerable children and adults £2.2 million

•Refurbishment of leisure sites £0.15 million

•Support the regeneration of Bracknell town centre £0.27 million

•Waste and recycling £0.8 million

•Updating council owned homes £5.5 million

•Refurbishment of community centres £0.05 million

As a result of the public consultation, some important changes were made to the Bracknell budget proposals put forward in December, including reviewing the reduction to the music service provided by the Berkshire Young Musicians' Trust and deferring the proposed reduction to the Young People in Sport programme to allow time for alternative funding sources to be sought.

The Executive decided, however, to defer a decision on the council tax until the full Council meeting on 1 March.

Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of the Bracknell Council, said: "We are facing extremely difficult times which makes it even more important that we focus on the priorities of residents. The money provided by the Government this year has only increased by 2%, which is well below the level of inflation - and that is before the impact of new services such as licensing, is even considered.

"We do have to make some tough decisions but our overall aim is to minimise disruption to our frontline services."

Bracknell Forest has the lowest actual council tax of any unitary authority in mainland England. The level of council tax increase needed to maintain all of its services at current levels would be around 23%, but the Government have given a clear indication that 5% is the maximum average increase that it will allow.

Bracknell Chief Executive Timothy Wheadon added: "It is important we continue to be efficient while at the same time protect the long term financial future of the Council and our ability to deliver essential services to our residents who depend upon us. Therefore we need to think carefully about council tax.

"The Government has made it clear they expect average council tax increases to be no higher than 5% and we would not want to risk the expense to our residents of being capped by the Government and having to send out revised bills to every home.

"Against this, our current council tax level of £875.70 compares with the national average of £1,003.40. This is due to our sound financial management over a number of years, but does mean that a 5% increase in Bracknell Forest generates significantly less than in other parts of the country."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council