News
Walsall councillors scrutinise budget
Walsall’s controversial draft budget proposals come under investigation this week. The council’s Scrutiny and Performance panels, made up of councillors of all parties who are not cabinet members, will have the chance to discuss and comment upon the budget.
Both the Social Care and Inclusion Panel and the Environment Panel meet on Monday, Community Services on Tuesday and Regeneration on Wednesday. The Children`s and Young People Scrutiny and Performance Panel meet on Friday.
Due to the cross-over of budget areas the Social Care and Inclusion Panel are leading on the scrutiny of budgets under the ‘health’ heading. Members of the Health Scrutiny and Performance Panel have been invited to the Social Care and Inclusion Panel meeting taking place tonight (Monday). The Corporate Panel meets on 10 December.
Officially described as a “consultation”, it is unlikely that any changes will be made to the budget proposals as all seven Scrutiny panels have a majority of Conservative councillors and all but one is chaired by a Conservative councillor.
Recommendations of all scrutiny and performance panels will be reported to Cabinet on 16 December 2009.
All Scrutiny and Performance Panels will then meet again in the week beginning 18 January 2010 to reconsider the budget.
Any recommendations will be presented to Cabinet on 3 February prior to the final budget being rubber stamped at full council on 22 February.
In a busy week for councillors, the Development Control Committee will meet on Thursday at 5-30pm to approve Tree Preservation Orders in Streetly and Willenhall. Other agenda items include the approval of the demolition of a smoking shelter outside the Gala Bingo Club in Wednesfield and the reduction of affordable housing on the St Margaret`s building development in Pheasey Park Farm Ward.
The meetings take place at the Council House on Lichfield Street and the Scrutiny meetings start at 6-00pm. Members of the public are allowed to attend and observe the proceedings.