Some Council Services In Huntingdonshire Could Be Cut

7 August 2014, 07:08 | Updated: 7 August 2014, 07:10

People living in Huntingdonshire are being asked which council services they value most - as more spending cuts are planned.

The District Council says it must save around £7million in the next three years.

The council provides many services, including car parks, refuse collection, leisure centres, markets, parks and planning. The council now has some tough decisions to make about which services it can continue to provide and how more income can be generated.

Over the last four years the council has saved in the region of £7m, including management and staffing savings of over £2.3m, and they need to save a similar amount over the next three years.

Executive Leader Jason Ablewhite said "The grants that central government gives to councils are being significantly reduced and these grants may disappear in the future. The situation is not unique to Huntingdonshire; all councils face the challenge of providing services on a decreasing budget. We have worked hard to manage our budgets but we still need to significantly reduce our annual costs. It is now time to take a fresh look at the way we deliver services."

The council recently announced that there will be a further freeze on Council Tax next year and it is their aspiration to extend this freeze over five years. The council is also committed to keeping all five leisure centres at Huntingdon, St Neots, Ramsey, Sawtry and the Indoor and Outdoor facilities at St Ives.

With these issues in mind, residents are being asked to give their views to help the council when it sets its budget for 2015/16.

The survey is open from Thursday 7th August until Sunday 7th September and can be completed online at www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/budget2015, some residents will receive this through the post and paper copies will also be available at One Leisure sites in Huntingdon, Sawtry, St Ives, St Neots and Ramsey, and also from our Customer Service Centres in Huntingdon, St Neots, Ramsey and Yaxley. Surveys will also be available at libraries in Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Buckden, Sawtry, Yaxley and Warboys to be completed and returned to the Corporate Team, Pathfinder House, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN by 7th September 2014.