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Redbridge Conversation 2010, the Council's major new consultation exercise launches today Monday 6 September - giving people a say on how the Council should make savings.

Redbridge Conversation 2010 is a public consultation exercise which lets residents see how much the Council spends on services and suggest ways to make savings of at least £25 million of the Council's budget.

Launch of the Redbridge Conversation 2010

We are launching the Redbridge Conversation 2010 as the Government is considering reducing public spending over the next four years. This means that councils will also have to significantly reduce their costs while protecting frontline services as far as possible.

Although we do not know the scale of the savings needed to be made yet, we know that they will be considerable as around 65 per cent of the Council's budget comes from the Government. The Government will be announcing more detailed plans in October.

Available options

There are a number of options open to the Council including reducing services, increasing the money we raise from charges, reducing pay or the number of staff and finding efficiency savings.

Anyone with a computer or access to the internet can take part in the Redbridge Conversation 2010 by completing YouChoose. YouChoose is an innovative online tool which has been created by the Council.

It shows how much the Council currently spends on services and how much the Council can save.  Those completing it are required to balance savings and spending to save £25 million in the overall Council budget.

By adjusting spending you will see the direct effect of this on services before you submit your choices. You can also share any other ideas you have about how savings could be made if you do not find them in YouChoose.

Not everyone has access to the internet

We understand that not everyone has access to the internet so we are undertaking a programme of community events to make sure we gather the views of those who can't access YouChoose.

We will be visiting day centres, housing community centres, health centres, community associations and elderly groups. You can also go online at any Redbridge library where staff have been trained to help you complete YouChoose.

The consultation closes at the end of October and the results will be analysed by the leading online polling company - YouGov. The results will help inform Councillors to make savings in the 2011 budget in March.

Cllr Keith Prince, Leader of the Council, said, "Over the next few months the Council is going to have to make some very difficult decisions in its quest to find £25m worth of savings, as required by Central Government, as part of the effort to tackle the country’s massive debt.  Two years ago Redbridge needed to identify ways of funding its Capital Programme and we undertook the innovative approach of consulting through the Redbridge Conversation. This enabled us to engage with over 5000 respondents and gave a clear steer as to how the people of Redbridge felt we should go forward."

“Now with this even bigger challenge once again we are using cutting edge technology to enable the community not only to give us their views but to engage in the tough process of making difficult choices around our services and functions.  I would like to think that as many people as possible will take part in the Redbridge Conversation 2010 as these priorities will give the Council a clear steer when deciding where the savings should be made."

Cllr Ian Bond, Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council said, "Councils up and down the country have very difficult decisions to take over coming months.  Here in Redbridge we believe we're leading the way in giving people the chance to get involved and have a say before our budget is set next year. The Conversation will also help people understand the sorts of issues and decisions that councillors are currently facing, and give us their own suggestions." 

Cllr Bob Littlewood, Leader of the Labour Group said, "Councillors will be insisting that there is the largest possible number of opportunities for non computer users to have their say.  We must reach everyone to find out their opinions.  I am particularly keen on the community events proposed.”

To complete YouChoose go to Redbridge i www.redbridge.gov.uk/conversation If you need help in completing YouChoose, for more information about your nearest library or to find out more about the community events call the One Stop Shop on 020 8554 5000.

If you don't have a computer at home, cannot get to a library or to any of our workshops please call 020 8708 3367.

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