Budget Consultation - Financial Year 2008/09
How have we consulted?
In the first phase of the consultation we consulted residents and stakeholders on what their spending priorities were for the year ahead. We spoke to representatives of the business sector, community and voluntary groups, younger and older people, black and minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities, people using the First Stop Shop in the Civic Centre plus many more. We are also distributed postal surveys to the Over 50’s Forum, Carers Network and the Walsall Citizens’ Panel. In addition, during September 2007 and early October 2007 hundreds of face-to-face interviews were conducted with residents across the borough.
The face-to-face interviews were conducted by an independent market research agency. The short interviews asked residents about what they think the council should focus its resources on, its priorities, and vision for the future. All areas of the borough covered.
We also held a residents deliberative workshop. Forty people from across the borough attended this informal event held in the Council House. Council finance officers gave a presentation and took questions from the audience. Participants then divided into smaller groups for more focused discussion.
Feedback from people who attended the workshop was very positive:
"I think it was really good, really useful, nice to meet other people who have similar views to you."
"Sharing points with each other was the best thing, what people have to say"
"I was quite saddened because education didn’t come out tops. I think change will come about through literacy."
"I hope they follow up what’s been said and get things done about Walsall getting a better place. If they’re really proud of Walsall they will do."
"It was more interesting than I expected it to be. We could have spent all weekend."
"I thought it was very worthwhile, the way you put it into smaller groups was good."
"I hope we get feedback on what’s been done."
Our budget consultation feedback newsletter (1.34MB PDF) summarises what you said. An easy read version budget consultation feedback newsletter (3.56MB PDF) is also available.
If you took part in budget consultation this year, thank you for your contribution!
How have the findings been used?
The budget setting process is outlined below:
- Summary of findings from budget consultation produced and circulated (24 October 2007).
- Decision conferencing (25 October 2007 and 8 November 2007).
Councillors will consider consultation findings and feed this into their annual event of determining their key priorities and ensuring resources are matched against this. - Scrutiny process (November 2007).
The council's five scrutiny panels individually consider the budget within their remit. - Corporate Services Scrutiny and Performance Panel Decision Conferencing (26 and 28 November 2007).
Consider the budget within its remit and the budget in total for the authority. - Recommendations from Scrutiny are provided to Cabinet.
- Cabinet feedback to Scrutiny Panels (January 2008).
Cabinet produce draft budget proposals. - Cabinet make final budget recommendations to Council (6 February 2008).
- Full council consider the final budget (25 February 2008).
Customer Focus and Intelligence
Corporate Performance Management
The Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP
Telephone 01922 653520
Fax 01922 614210
This page was last updated on 22 January 2010