Voters, Leaders, but hold the party

City of York Council has made the TV headlines with its current consultation on how to make cuts in its budget from this April.

It has provoked a number of reactions - it does not matter what we say; where is the background information needed in order to make a judgment; what a good idea; and, we elected councillors to make these decisions and if they can't they should resign!

You may get a questionnaire through the door, or you can look at it online starting here. What it says is that the Council has a shortfall and it proposes a number of new things to spend money on or to make savings on. We are asked to choose from the options presented, and give some reasons.

It is not made clear at all what the information will be used for, and you can see that it would be perfectly possible to organise a number of response from like minded individuals that might give a false picture. Our answers cannot be considered a scientific response, but will perhaps show councillors what might be least popular (when it comes time to vote).

For Bishopthorpe residents there are ideas that will affect some but not all, and have a local impact or not. Its tough making decisions so how do we judge what is best? Christmas lights and a firework display - or more recycling and money for voluntary groups?

York is one of the worst funded councils in England, and it still needs to reduce by £1 million. This is driven by central government, that also wants us to have a bigger say in local affairs. On their terms it seems.