THE Forest of Dean District Council's draft budget consultation starts this week against a background of swingeing government-imposed cutbacks.

The council has published its draft budget for 2012/2013, setting out proposed savings and a strategy to balance the books over the next three years. It takes into account a cut in central government funding of up to £2.5million over four years to March 2015, with the majority coming in the first two years.

In anticipation of reductions in funding, the council says it has already reduced costs by £2.3m and has plans to save a further £1.5m over the next three years. This totals £3.8 million between 2009/2010 and 2014/2015 through measures including efficiency savings, recruitment freezes and some reductions in services. At the same time it has reduced the number of senior managers at the council by a third.

In addition, sharing services such as Accountancy, Human Resources and Land and Property with other local councils has given projected savings of £119,000 in 2012/2013, rising to £311,000 in future years. The council also plans to reduce the running costs of its Coleford offices by sharing its accommodation with other public services.

At its meeting on December 16 the Cabinet agreed a draft budget that included a managed car park regime from July 2012 and freezing council tax in 2012/2013. This draft budget was approved after the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee had reviewed the business case for car park charges and a full council debate on the subject at a meeting on December 15.

Cllr Brian Robinson, deputy leader and cabinet member for efficient council and finance, said: "I'm very pleased to be putting forward a draft budget that protects vital services at what is a difficult financial time for local authorities. But thanks to good money management in previous years, as well as some tough decisions already taken, we find ourselves able avoid any cuts in services for 2012/13 whist also keeping council tax unchanged for the next year."

Public consultation closes on Monday February 13. Feedback received by Monday February 6 will be considered by Cabinet when it meets on Thursday February 9. All feedback received will be considered by the full council when a decision on the final budget is made on Thursday February 23.

Full details of the proposed budget are available on the council's website at http://www.fdean">www.fdean.

gov.uk/go/consultations

The community can let the council know what they think of the budget proposals via the website, by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or writing to Budget Consultation, Forest of Dean District Council, Council Offices, High Street, Coleford, GL16 8HG.