WELWYN Hatfield Borough Council agreed its budget for 2012-13 last night at Full Council (6 February 2012).

Again, this year there is a requirement to reduce the council’s spending in line with Government austerity measures. Additionally, inflation is currently 4.2 per cent and the council is facing a reduction in formula grant of 6 per cent, with service pressures totalling £1.3 million for next year. Despite these challenges, the council is set to achieve £2 million of new efficiency savings next year, in addition to the £3 million savings already made in the current year.

In total, the council’s budget requirement for 2012/13 will be £13.79m.

This is a further reduction of £91,000 compared to 2011/12 and will be met through use of reserves and significant savings.

Despite this, the council is continuing to invest in local communities – making Welwyn Hatfield a great place to live, work and shop. Significant amounts of capital spending will take place in 2012-13, on: * housing and garage stock improvements * leisure and community facilities, including development on the Splashlands site * commencement of the redevelopment of Hatfield town centre * new changing facilities at Stanborough Lakes.

Councillor Alan Franey, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Resources, said: “This council is striving, in these difficult times, to reduce costs at the same time as continuing to fulfil its core pledge to make the borough a cleaner, greener and safer place to live. As the council already operates efficiently we have had to make some difficult choices and take measure to further improve our efficiency and make even better use of our resources, both in 2012-13 and into the future. We have done this by looking at all aspects of our service delivery.

“Despite the difficulties, we have listened to the views expressed during the budget consultation last year from our community, on their main concerns, one of which is safety. As a result we have invested to increase our Street Warden service by 300 per cent, from two, to six. I am pleased we have been able to do this.”

Council Tax for Welwyn Hatfield will be set at a Special meeting of the Full Council on Monday 27 February.