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Bournemouth residents are being given the chance to choose where their councillors spend the budget, in light of a £6m cut in government funding.
The poll will be available until December the 8th, and will come into effect for two years from 2010.
Cllr John Beesley, Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
“To help us make these difficult but necessary decisions, we’re consulting the public on a range of proposals.
“This is about finding solutions that are the least unacceptable to our residents, so it’s important that people take part and make the most of this chance to influence our decisions.”
In what has been referred to as a ‘virtual budgeting hot-seat’, those who take part will decide where they would reduce costs on various public services.
Options available in the multiple-choice survey known as SIMALTO (Simultaneous Alternate Level Trade-offs), include cutting down on CCTV cameras, road and pavement repairs, grass-cutting, street-cleaning and closing youth centres or day centres for older people.
Mr Darren Mentry, manager of Castlepoint Town Centre in Bournemouth, highlighted the recent increase in crime on the Rossmore estate.
“If they decrease CCTV I don’t know how on earth we’ll keep vandalism and night-crime down- look at Rossmore.”
Bournemouth PC Mike Brett, said:
“We all want the town to look inviting, but safety is the issue.
“I hope people will realise that the CCTV cameras need to stay, and pick another option.
“The police are working really hard to make Bournemouth completely crime-free.”
Robert Eldridge, 83, of Pitwines Close argued:
“I should think that day centres are the only contact some people make outside their homes.
“It would be such a shame to close one.”
Young mother Amelia Moore, of Wimborne Road, asked:
“Does it really cost that much to keep the youth centres open?
“We need somewhere to keep the kids off the streets.
“Who cares if the grass is too long?”
SIMALTO takes about twenty minutes to complete online at www.bournemouth.gov.uk/budget, and thirty face-to-face sessions will take place in local community centres for people who need assistance. Call the Consultation team on 01202 454959 for more information.

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Press release, www.bournemouth.gov.uk

Can the town get by with less CCTV cameras? What if we need to make road and pavement repairs less of a priority? Do we really need to cut grass verges so frequently? Should we clean the streets and pick up litter less often? Or close a youth centre or a day centre for older people?
These are some of the hard – and real – options that Councillors have to consider over the coming months, as we prepare for a huge squeeze on Council budgets for the next two years and beyond.
But before we decide, we want to hear from the public.
Cllr John Beesley, Cabinet Member for Resources said, “To help us make these difficult but necessary decisions, we’re consulting the public on a range of proposals. Their opinions will influence our decision-making when the budget is set next February.” He continued, “Some people may be surprised at the range of services we are having to consider reducing. We understand that some residents may not be happy with the proposals, but I must stress that these options are only being considered as a result of the expected significant cut to our grant from central Government. This is about finding solutions that are the least unacceptable to our residents, so it’s important that people take part and make the most of this chance to influence our decisions.” Cllr Beesley also said, “We are taking a two-year approach to enable the Council to cope with the anticipated cuts in government grant and increased demand for services. With so many people struggling with their finances during the recession – particularly young families and the elderly - we are determined to keep rises in Council tax down to an acceptable level. To emphasise this, we have made efficiency savings of over £7million in the past two years.”
The consultation, known as SIMALTO (Simultaneous Alternate Level Trade-offs), is taking place both online at www.bournemouth.gov.uk/budget , and in community venues, from 12 November until 8 December. It gives participants a range of options for cost savings by reducing certain services and puts participants in a ‘virtual’ budgeting hot-seat, asking them to prioritise various services over others. It will take about 20 minutes to complete online.
Thirty face-to-face sessions will take place in local community centres for people who need assistance or have difficulty using a computer. Pick up a leaflet in your local community centre or library for details, or call the Consultation and Engagement team on 01202 454959 for more information.
Young mum Amelia Moore, age 27, 01202 421233, Wimbourne Road
CLLR John Beesley, Cabinet Member for Resources
Address: 7 Elm Gardens, Bournemouth, BH4 9JL, Telephone (01202) 762403 Mobile 07860 391219 mEmail john.beesley@bournemouth.gov.uk
PC Darren Brett, 01202 481248
Robert Eldridge, age 83, 01202 564830, Winton Road
Manager of Castlepoint Mr Darren Mentry, 01202 510050