Manchester’s budget: Share your views!

Manchester residents are being asked again this year, to give their views on service and budget plans for the next financial year.

The city-wide consultation, running until the end of January, will give members of the public the chance to tell councillors what their priorities are for spending on Council services from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. There is also a chance for them to air their views on the council's achievements over the last year.

Outline proposals for next year's departmental budgets have already been considered by watchdogs on the council's scrutiny committees. A final decision on the services being provided and the level of council tax to be set will be made at a meeting of Manchester City Council on Wednesday 5 March. The aim of the process is to ensure that funds are concentrated where they are most needed so that services to residents can be improved.

The Council's executive member for finance, Councillor Bernard Priest, and his team, are aiming again this year for a council tax rise no greater than the level of inflation.

Councillor Priest said: "We are determined that as much money as possible will go to key areas like education and children, families and social care whilst ensuring that other important services continue to show improvement. It is crucial that the Council delivers good value for money and that we spend most on services that are important to people.

"In order to spend our budget as wisely as possible, we need feedback on our initial plans from Manchester residents. If people tell us to do so, we will change our spending patterns, with more funds going to some areas and less going to others."

Find out how and where Manchester Council's budget will be spent over the coming year and what the key priorities of the city will be by going to www.manchester.gov.uk/finance and follow the link to the budget consultation 2008/9 for information on what the money is spent on and what has been achieved in the last year.

Views about the budget and the way it is spent can be e.mailed to budget.consultation@manchester.gov.uk

Comments can be left via the automated phone line on 0161 234 3190.

Comments can also be sent to Budget Consultation , Freepost - MR 1514, Town Hall, Manchester M60 2BR.

Media contact:

Deborah Grace/Rebecca Kennedy Press Office, 0161 234 3332