Leader’s Budget Speech
17th February 2010
Madam Mayor, Councillors,
Honourary Alderman
This time last year the country was in deep
recession, however there are now signs that recovery has started,
the policies that this council adopted a year ago have placed us in
a good position to take advantage of the upturn.
A year ago I outlined this administration’s
approach and ambitions,
· The creation of a
Public Service Village
· The pursuance of
partnership working with the private and public sector
· Our aspiration to
deliver no increase in taxation
What then has been achieved?
Funds have been secured for The Public Service
Village, and we are entering into the design and contract stage of
the development, discussions are ongoing with Hampshire County
Council around the shared service agenda.
Havant and East Hampshire now share the same
Chief Executive, who is working towards producing a joint
management structure aiming to realise greater efficiencies and
cashable savings for both authorities.
The outsourcing to Capita of revenue &
benefits and customer services is working well and providing a
first class service with valuable financial benefit to the
Council.
Of course there has been many other success
and improvements over the year.
Our environmental services are in the top ten
authorities in the country for recycling and refuse collection, and
have successfully provided a new fortnightly garden waste
service.
Street cleansing has achieved a 98% rating
against national performance indicators.
Forty four new businesses have been started
during the year employing 150 people, whilst the redevelopment of
the Tesco store in Havant has provided an additional 225 full or
part time jobs.
The Council is providing support for new
business starting up, by providing a small amount of initial
financial help.
There has been a marginal drop in unemployment
and a slight reduction in the number of shops remaining empty
within the Borough.
A new partnering agreement with Horizon
Leisure Trust coupled with their more businesslike approach, is
delivering quality leisure and fitness provision to the residents
of the Borough.
The Council decision to introduce pre planning
application forums is giving residents and interested parties the
opportunity to comment on future development proposals; this along
with a reduction in the size of the Development Management
Committee has improved the Borough’s planning service.
The signing of the Nottingham Declaration has
committed this authority to reducing the use of energy, whilst the
Councils support for Fair Trade is helping businesses in poorer
countries
Through the excellent of work of our council
officers it has been a very successful year in attracting grant
funding, over seven million pounds, £5.1M for the PSV and £1.9m for
other projects.
Our investment in the Crime the Disorder
Partnership is reaping dividends as the crime figures are showings
a decline in some categories.
The Audit Commission’s Comprehensive Area
Assessment has said that we are a good Authority and improving, and
have rated the Council three out of a possible four.
Later I will be recommending to this council
that there be no increase to the level of domestic rate charged for
2010-2011, a recommendation that I am able to make without the
Council having to reduce any services.
You may think that I am indulging in a little
gratification on behalf of this administration, but I do believe
that credit and plaudits should be given where they are merited,
therefore I wish to place on record my sincere thanks to those who
have been responsible for our successes of the past year.
Firstly to the Chief Executive and all of her
staff for their dedication and hard work; secondly to the members
of my Cabinet for their support and encouragement, and I must
praise the professionalism of both the officers and cabinet
members, who have demonstrated what can be achieved by working
together in partnership.
What of the future.
I believe that continued increase in Council
taxation is unsustainable given the present economic state of this
country, no better illustrated than a quote made by America
President Herbert Hoover! (Blessed are the young, for they will
inherit the national debt) therefore this council must avoid
burdening future generations with high levels of debt and taxation,
we need to be much more innovative in our approach to service
delivery, up and down this country small district authorities
employ an army of people to deliver the same basic services to
their residents.
Here in Havant we have recognised that sharing
staff and working in partnership is the way forward; working with
East Hampshire District Council will, I am sure, prove that
significant savings can be achieved and provide greater
efficiency.
The council will look at non statutory
services and find ways to engage with people to decide what
services the council should continue to supply, and what it should
not.
Service to the community is important,
co-locating public and voluntary services such as Hampshire County
Council, Citizen Advice bureau and other sector partners into the
Public Service Village will provide a better service to our
customers, but we must continue to find ways of delivering some
services more locally.
It is our duty to protect the environment and
our urban green spaces and make better use of planning
opportunities to provide:
·
Good housing
·
Attract inward investment and employment opportunities
·
Better public access and transport links
·
Enhance the quality of life for all
My message to you today is:
·
This Council will continue to strive to provide quality services
that are affordable
·
Support local communities and encourage people to become
involved
·
Oppose bureaucratic processes
·
Champion what is best for the Borough of Havant
Havant Borough Council will continue to be
innovative and push the boundaries in partnership working and
business development.
I will leave you with this quote by Professor
Stephen Hawking!
Speech has allowed the communication of ideas,
enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible.
Mankind's greatest achievements have come about by talking and its
greatest failures by not talking. It doesn't have to be like this.
Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the
technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we
need to do is make sure we keep talking.
Councillor Tony Briggs
Leader Havant Borough Council