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Help us spend budget, says council

14/01/2008

Mancunians are being asked to give their views on how public money should be spent between April 2008 and March 2009.

The consultation runs until the end of January and enables members of the public the opportunity to tell local politicians in Manchester City Council what their priorities are.

Councillor Bernard Priest said the council is determined that "as much money as possible" will go to areas like education, families and social care.

"It is crucial that the council delivers good value for money and that we spend most on services that are important to people," he stated.

"But if people tell us to do so, we will change our spending patterns, with more funds going to some areas and less going to others."

The invitation comes as the council states that it is aiming for a council tax rise that is no greater than inflation.

At the end of last year, Salford MP and communities secretary Hazel Blears said that councils will soon be legally obliged to respond to petitions submitted by residents.

If a council ignores a petition or if the response is deemed unsatisfactory, residents will have the option of asking for a select committee-style hearing, she stated.