December 4, 2005
Burnham residents invited to air their say on how council tax is spent
Burnham-On-Sea residents are being invited to air their opinions on how council tax money is spent in our area.
Sedgemoor District Council is asking residents for input in deciding where money should be spent – and has set up four special touch-screens in Burnham and Highbridge where people can type in feedback.
“This can have a direct effect on the percentage rise of council tax bills, so it is important that people have their say and influence where spending may or may not take place,” said a spokesman.
The touch-screen kiosks are available from December 5th-31st at Burnham-On-Sea Tourist Information Centre, King Alfred Sports Centre, Alpha House in Highbridge and Burnham-On-Sea Swimming Pool.
Alternatively, you can provide your comments to the council by email or visit its ‘Talk Budget’ website.
The news comes as Sedgemoor District Council faces a gap in its funding of £942,000.
“Our Government Grant does not keep pace with pay and price increases, so this means we have to manage the budget carefully in order to provide all of our customers with the services they require,” added the spokesman.
“New obligations are placed on us annually such as increased recycling, licensing, e-government targets and concessionary bus fares, but the majority of our residents do not want to pay more council tax to finance these services, so each year we have to make difficult decisions to balance the budget.”
“Tell Sedgemoor District Council what you think. What areas should be invested in? What services are less important to you? How would you suggest that the budget be distributed?”
“All feedback received will be used as a basis for discussion in the 2006 Budget Allocation process.”
