Have a say on County Council priorities

People in North Yorkshire are being asked their opinions on services provided by the County Council, as the authority deals with the continuing reality of cuts in funding.

The Council believes austerity measures will continue for a number of years. It has updated its Council Plan to accommodate the significant reductions in funding, and is asking the public of North Yorkshire to comment on its proposals.

County Councillor John Weighell, the Leader of the Council said: Reductions in Government funding represent a cut in our spending power between 2011 to 2019 of more than a third.

We are aware of our responsibillities to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities which is why, despite the tough financial times, we will continue to do all we can to protect and modernise frontline services for those who rely upon them most.

The scale of cuts means the Council has to rethink what it is able to provide directly. It is looking ahead to the end of the decade, to 2020, to ensure that it adapts. The last few years have seen an increase in collaboration with other organisations and volunteers to provide services differently, for example in libraries and in countryside services.

Councillor Weighell added: However, we do need to have a vision, values and objectives which embody this change. These must be clear to all of our employees and to the residents of North Yorkshire, as must our intentions for enabling people to take greater responsibility for supporting their communities.

The Council’s vision, values and objectives are detailed in the Council Plan. People are being asked for their views by Monday 30 June 2014, either through an online consultation form, or by emailing ppp@northyorks.gov.uk 

The Council Plan can be viewed online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/23979/The-council-plan