About this Event
The upcoming Brent Connects session on Thursday 14 January 2021, 6-7.30pm will focus on the council's draft budget and NCIL funding.
The session will focus on the proposals for the council’s 2021/22 and 2022/23 budget.
Join us to learn more about how budgets are developed, why cost savings are needed and the council's priorities over the next few years.
We want to hear your thoughts on the draft budget proposals and give you the opportunity to get any questions answered.
The Grants Team will also tell you all about the upcoming round of NCIL funding and how you can apply.
You'll be invited to join a breakout room where you can discuss these topics in more detail with others in your community and there will also be a soapbox slot where you can raise any issues or promote activities in your local area.
Voices of the community and generating new ideas are key to making Brent a better place to live, work and visit, so book your place today.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, but do not worry if you’ve never used Zoom before as we’ll be sending detailed instructions to all attendees beforehand.
If you have any questions, please email brent.connects@brent.gov.uk
You will need to book in advance HERE
ON-LINE CONSULTATION
Residents are being invited to take part in the consultation on Brent Council’s draft budget proposals for 2021/22.
Over the past ten years, Brent like many other local authorities, has been faced with increasing financial pressures caused by significant funding cuts and a growing demand for services.
Some tough decisions were made early on which has left the council in a strong financial position, however the unprecedented effects of COVID-19, including increased spending and a loss of income, has meant that the task of balancing the budget is more challenging this year than it has ever been.
Councillor Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader of Brent Council, said:
“I want to encourage all residents to get involved and give their views on this year’s budget, which may be our most important ever.
“The budget will affect everyone so it’s vital we hear as many views as possible to help make sure we get this right.”
The budget consultation will remain open until 31 January 2021.
View the full report outlining the budget proposals and take part in the consultation today.
As usual the Council has failed to provide sufficient information to make any consultation meaningful. Residents are only provided with 'marginal' information and not the full picture. There is for example no detail on what Brent Council actually spends its money on in each key area be it adult social care, children social care, street cleaning & refuse collections, street lighting, children in care etc etc. There is also no information about the very substantial reserves and provisions the Council has built up (running into many millions of pounds) and when or if they will be spent. Residents do not have enough information to be able to say "I want the Council to spend money on this rather than that". A simple example may be the spending of tens of thousands of pounds a year on the position of the Mayor & Deputy Mayor rather than providing litter bins in local streets. Unless information is provided in a clear way it is impossible for residents to express a view and make a choice. After all a financial Budget is about making choices and deciding priorities.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to have to say this but because of the failure to provide adequate information on which to make choices this consultation is sadly another Council Sham.
I hear that the Cllr Butt lost the plot again and went on his usual rants against any one who dared to challenge him or asked a question. My booking for the event was ignored as I never received the promised invitation to join the Zoom meeting. One question I would have asked is the amount the Council has put away in its various reserves so they can suppress the Council Tax rise in the 2022 Council election year?
ReplyDeleteI would also like to see a detailed breakdown of the £44 million the Council claims it spent on Covid 19 related items, who the money was spent with and what was done to ensure that the Council Tax payers received value for money.