City of York Council’s Executive has announced an amendment to its 2016/17 budget which increases investment in transport, bins and local ward committee projects. Extra money will also be set aside to help with the flood recovery and remodel early-intervention services for children and young people.

Earlier this month, the Government announced that York will receive £781,000 in transitional funding following the original national finance settlement announced last December. The Executive is therefore moving an amendment to its Budget on Thursday to allocate this money. The amendment also takes account of feedback to the original proposals announced at the beginning of February.

The investment will cover:

• £35,000 to fund new dog and litter bins across the city.
• £45,000 for Design and Conservation.
• £300,000 to support changes in Prevention and Early Intervention Services for children and young people.
• £50,000 to support the remodelling of bus subsidies.
• £150,000 for ‘Pride in York’ (part of Ward Committee funding) to support environmental projects, grounds maintenance and voluntary groups.
• £26,000 to ensure that substance misuse advice can continue to be offered at York Carers Centre.
• £20,000 to support greater capacity in planning enforcement.
• £30,000 to support sustainable transport projects.
• £125,000 into contingency to plan for further flood and drainage costs.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of City of York Council, commented:

“Whilst this transitional funding is welcome the council is still facing an overall budget cut from the government over the next four years as well as the rising costs of adult social care. We have therefore focused this transitional money on helping to ensure crucial services such as early intervention work for children and young people and bus subsidies are sustainable in the long-term.

“We have also listened to those who have been responding to our consultation and initial proposals. This means more investment in frontline services such as bins, more money into local ward budgets and community projects, as well as more support for York Carers Centre.”

The amendment and overall budget proposals will be debated on Thursday 25th February, and full details can be found here: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=331&MId=8835