This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
As part of the Isle of Wight Council’s 2012/13 budget consultation, an online simulator has been launched to allow residents to have their say on how the council should prioritise its spending.
The simulator has proved popular with residents in previous years and plays an important role in the council’s budget setting process.
Although some council services are statutory and cannot be reduced, the simulator enables residents to make suggestions about non-statutory services.
Explanations of effects provided
The simulator explains the effects of each decision as it is taken, both in terms of its impact on individual services chosen and also the overall council budget. Although the council is likely to have an underspend of £1.8 million in the current financial year due to careful financial management, the council still needs to make further revenue savings of £3.8 million in the next financial year.
Budgets set by participants, as well as comments made, can be submitted to the council via the simulator and will be considered as part of the budget decision-making process.
Pugh encourages people to click on the simulator
Councillor David Pugh, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “Due to the huge financial pressures put upon the council last year, we had to make some difficult decisions. Although we are in a better financial position as we look to the next year we still need to explore ways of operating more efficiently so we can reduce costs further, while prioritising spending on the areas that matter most to residents.
“I would encourage people to click on the simulator and look at some of the decisions we are facing as we look to set next year’s budget; it is important that we gather views from as many residents as possible throughout this period of consultation to help us prioritise spending.”
The simulator can be found on the council’s website.
The budget simulator will run until noon on 20 January 2012.
