1. BUDGET CONSULTATION 2005/06 JANUARY 2005

2. Budget timetable Financial projections for 2005/06 preparedOct – Nov 2004 Revenue Support Grant settlementDec 2004 Budget consultation meetings heldNov – Dec 2004 Budget options developedDec 2004 – Jan 2005 Budget consultation meetingsJan 2005 Budget and Council Tax set by CouncilFeb 2005 Council Tax bills issuedMar 2005

3. November consultation issues (1) Reducing crime –more police –Improve street lighting Environment –Highways and pavements in a poor state of repair –Improve parks and open spaces –Sweeping machines ineffective –Improve cleaning of footpaths and cycle paths –Educate children to remove litter

4. November consultation issues (2) Youth –Provide more facilities for youth –More youth workers required –SCL youth schemes successful but now stopped Marketing –Concern about cost of road signs, consultancy, logo etc.

5. November consultation issues (3) Schools –Secondary school results poor –Secondary school buildings in poor condition –Additional money going into the service is not improving standards Equality of service provision –Concern from some areas that they did not receive equal levels of service

6. BUDGET AND RSG PROJECTIONS 2005-06 £m Projected expenditure 2005/06 at current service level294.9 Less: Revenue Support Grant149.4 Business Rates72.2 Amount to be met from Council Tax73.3 2004-05 Council Tax increased by 3%73.3

7. Effect of Council Tax increase Council Tax increase2004/05 Charge (Band A) Annual increase (Band A) Monthly increase (Band A) Weekly Increase (Band A) 3%£857£25.71£2.14£0.49 3.5%£857£29.98£2.50£0.57 4%£857£34.27£2.86£0.66

8. Effect of Council Tax increase Council Tax increaseAnnual increase Band A Annual increase Band B Annual increase Band C Annual increase Band D 3%£25.71£29.99£34.27£38.56 3.5%£29.99£34.98£39.99£44.98 4%£34.27£39.99£45.70£51.41

9. Comparison with Greater Manchester authorities 10 authorities in Greater Manchester Expected Council tax increases (excluding precepts) range from 2.5% to 6% Average increase likely to be around 4.5%

10. Precepts Police –Possible increase of 5% to 10.5% Fire and Civil Defence –Possible increase of 5%

11. Council Tax Capping Government has powers to limit the level of Council Tax increases by “Capping” Indications are that increases for 2005/06 will be limited to 5% Not clear at this stage if this applies to precepting authorities or the total bill

12. Effect of Council Tax and Precept increases Salford3% Police5%10.5% Fire & Civil Defence5% Total Increase3.22%3.64% Increase at Band D£41.38£46.79

13. Budget issues Salford budget broadly in balance at current level of service with 3% increase in Council Tax Developing options to invest in priority services of: –Crime –Youth –Environment Funded from efficiencies in the delivery of services

14. Priority service investment options List some of the options proposed by directors?

15. Your views What are your views on the proposed Council Tax increase? What are your views on the options being considered for additional investment? Are there other factors that councillors should consider in finalising budget plans?