County Council budget plans go under the microscope
Have you got a question abouthow the Council proposes tospend millions on critical services for people right across Buckinghamshire over the next financial year?
If so, the budget scrutiny select committee, which convenes next week to examine the Council’s budget in detail,would love to hear from you.
The cross-party select committee of councillors will question all Cabinet members on their spending plans during three days of hearings from Tuesday8 to Thursday10 January. And while they’re doing this, Chairman David Watson wants residents to add their questions too.
“I’ve always been a great champion of transparency and openness, particularly when it comes to spending public money. As a committee you can rest assured we will leave no stone unturned, but what I’d really like to encourage isquestions from the public,” said David.
“And I can guarantee thatthey’ll all get an answer from the relevant Cabinet Member. Of course, people can alsoattend if they wish – the meetings are all open to the public.”
People can pose their questions quickly and easily ahead of the three day scrutiny either by email to democracy@buckscc.gov.uk orvia Twitter using the hashtag #BucksBudget.
“Our job as a committee is to ensure the budget is robust and serves the needs of the county and the people,” said David. “We’ll be diligent and ask the relevant questions to each Cabinet member to make sure we are spending public money prudently.”
The full programme for the three days, together with background papers, can be found using the following links:
Jan 8 – https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=667&MId=12317&Ver=4
Jan 9 – https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=667&MId=12318&Ver=4
Jan 10 – https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=667&MId=12319&Ver=4
Hearings over the three days will also be webcast online. Following the scrutiny process the committee will produce a report listing recommendations which will be presented to Cabinet on February 11. Final budget decisions will be made by the full Council at its meeting on February 21.