Consequences of decreasing the budget for Planning, Environment and Building Control by 50%

Planning delays of six weeks, no public consultation, deterioration in district’s historic buildings. Impact on major regeneration schemes as businesses and investors lose confidence in building and investing in the district and take their business elsewhere. Building programmes delayed or not receiving sign off as safe

Non-Statutory planning and building control fees significantly increased and new discretionary fees and charges considered

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Planning, Environment and Building Control by 25%

Planning delays by five weeks, council less able to respond to dangerous structures; loss of grants for historic buildings. Inspections and surveys delayed

Non-Statutory planning and building control fees significantly increased

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Planning, Environment and Building Control by 10%

Planning decisions delays by three weeks. Our ability to deal with developments that have breached planning permission or are unsafe, would be affected. Inspections or surveys delayed

Non-Statutory planning and building control fees increasedon-Statutory planning and building control fees increased

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Planning, Environment and Building Control by 5%

Planning decisions delayed by two weeks - inspections or surveys delayed

Non-Statutory planning and building control fees increased

Consequences of keeping the budget for Planning, Environment and Building Control the same

The service could be maintained at its current level.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Planning, Environment and Building Control by 5%

More resource to provide better quality and quicker service to customers. Better quality decision making around planning applications, building inspections, surveys or safety certifications and the local plan, supported by additional resource

Non-Statutory planning and building control fees maintained

Consequences of increasing the budget for Planning, Environment and Building Control by 10%

Quicker planning decisions, inspections and more responsive to customers. Better quality service to customers and better-quality decision making around planning applications, building sign offs and the local plan, supported by additional resource.

Non-Statutory planning and building control fees maintained or reduced

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Street Cleaning, Bins and Recycling by 50%

Unable to clean streets or carry out adequate household waste collections required by law. Impact on health and wellbeing of district’s residents due to increase in litter, rats and dirt. Business and economy suffer as district becomes less attractive.

Significantly increase fees and charges and consider new discretionary fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Street Cleaning, Bins and Recycling by 25%

Risk to delivery of statutory minimum standards of cleanliness. Likely to require reduction in bin collection frequency.

Significantly increase fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Street Cleaning, Bins and Recycling by 10%

As 5%, but with a more noticeable reduction in the standard of public realm presentation. Bin collections may become less reliable/frequent.

Increase fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Street Cleaning, Bins and Recycling by 5%

Delays in dealing with fly tipping, reduction in street cleansing standards across the district.

Increase fees and charges

Consequences of keeping the budget for Street Cleaning, Bins and Recycling the same

The service could be maintained at its current level.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Street Cleaning, Bins and Recycling by 5%

Employ an additional Recycling Officer to support residents and develop activities to increase recycling rates and improve communications. 

Maintain current fees and charges

Consequences of increasing the budget for Street Cleaning, Bins and Recycling by 10%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for City Centre Development by 50%

Major impact on what might be achieved in the city centre in terms of major development. With limited resource and capacity, a significant proportion of projects will need to be put on hold causing delays to regeneration. 

Consequences of decreasing the budget for City Centre Development by 25%

Significant impact on the resilience and capacity of what is already a small team leading to potential delays to projects, protracted timelines and less being delivered.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for City Centre Development by 10%

Impact on the resilience of the small team causing delays to programme timelines and deliverability.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for City Centre Development by 5%

Impact on the resilience of what is already a small team - with the potential for delays to projects.

Consequences of keeping the budget for City Centre Development the same

The service could be maintained at its current level.

Consequences of increasing the budget for City Centre Development by 5%

Supporting the resilience of a small team, adding resource to increase a small amount of capacity for delivery.

Consequences of increasing the budget for City Centre Development by 10%

Adding resource that could help to bring forward certain elements of project delivery and provide more capacity within the team.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Conservation, Ecology and Woodlands by 50%

Inability to provide specialist advise to council and development management. Unable to deliver s106 legal obligations regarding Biodiversity Offsetting. Unable to meet net zero and nature recovery targets. 

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Conservation, Ecology and Woodlands by 25%

Previous impact becomes more significant. Unable to commit to any environmental projects or ambitions for the council or district, upcoming in the Lichfield District 2050 strategy where 'Environment' is expected to be an important theme. Impacts to councils’ reputation for environment and heritage. 

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Conservation, Ecology and Woodlands by 10%

Further delays to planning consultee requests within required time. Difficulty delivering ongoing s106 legal obligations regarding Biodiversity Offsetting schemes. Difficulty delivering on Climate Change and net zero ambitions outlined in the Staffordshire Sustainability Pledge, and Nature Recovery Declaration. 

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Conservation, Ecology and Woodlands by 5%

Delays responding to planning consultee requests within required time. Inability to set up Nature Based Solutions Brokerage to make income. Inability to take on any more contributions for Biodiversity Offsetting schemes - which secures long term funding for LDC owned wildlife sites.

Consequences of keeping the budget for Conservation, Ecology and Woodlands the same

The service could be maintained at its current level.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Conservation, Ecology and Woodlands by 5%

More resource to grow Nature Based Solutions Brokerage and make income. Better service provided to development management. Ability to focus on the council and wider districts other ecological ambitions towards the nature, climate and energy crisis.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Conservation, Ecology and Woodlands by 10%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Parks and Open Spaces by 50%

Reduction in standard of presentation and staffing/events in Beacon Park and closure of all other parks / return to informal open space.  Little or no management of sites - no bedding displays or garden areas.

Significantly increase fees and charges and consider new fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Parks and Open Spaces by 25%

Least used parks are no longer maintained and returned to informal open space / meadow. Reduction in maintenance may require routine closure of play areas and fencing off of some locations. Likely increase in anti-social behaviour. No scope to support biodiversity and protected species.

Significantly increase fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Parks and Open Spaces by 10%

Reduced maintenance in all but Beacon Park, for example, frequency of grass cutting reduced, flower beds left empty etc.   Increased backlog of repairs to play equipment and areas. This would lead to less attractive parks/green spaces, more complaints and fewer visits.

Increase fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Parks and Open Spaces by 5%

Reduction in maintenance and standards across the district's neighbourhood parks and public open spaces / infill grassland e.g. grass cutting in parks falls from fortnightly to monthly. 

Increase fees and charges

Consequences of keeping the budget for Parks and Open Spaces the same

The service could be maintained at its current level.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Parks and Open Spaces by 5%

Additional resources would continue with the current maintenance schedule looking at newer environmentally friendly machinery.  And enhance bio-diversity areas. I believe 5% would allow the existing provision to continue to meet the expectations of the customers.

Maintain fees and charges

Consequences of increasing the budget for Parks and Open Spaces by 10%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Local Plan by 50%

Planning delayed by six weeks, no public consultation. Impact on major regeneration schemes as businesses and investors lose confidence in building and investing in the district and take their business elsewhere.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Local Plan by 25%

Planning delayed by five weeks, council less able to respond to dangerous structures.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Local Plan by 10%

Planning decisions delayed by three weeks. Our ability to deal with developments that have breached planning permission or are unsafe, would be affected.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Local Plan by 5%

Planning decisions delayed by two weeks

Consequences of keeping the budget for Local Plan the same

The service could be maintained at its current level

Consequences of increasing the budget for Local Plan by 5%

More resource to provide better quality and quicker service to customers. Better quality decision making around planning applications and the local plan, supported by additional resource.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Local Plan by 10%

Quicker planning decisions and more responsive to customers. Better quality service to customers and better-quality decision making around planning applications and the local plan, supported by additional resource.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Community by 50%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Community by 25%

Impact on viability of support to the Community Safety Partnership, impacting on co-ordination between partner agencies (council/police/fire etc) and early intervention. Further reduction in grant funding has an impact of those that are isolated, vulnerable and/or experiencing hardship. It also impacts on community resilience and people feeling safe in their homes, on the streets or supported if they need help.

Seek funding from partners

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Community by 10%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Community by 5%

Impact on the resilience of what is already a small team and impact on partnership working.

Consequences of keeping the budget for Community the same

The service could be maintained at its current level.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Community by 5%

Further investment in community focussed activity

Consequences of increasing the budget for Community by 10%

Further investment in community focussed activity and further support to partners

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Housing Strategy and Homelessness by 50%

This would present a critical situation as we would not be able to employ enough officers to meet all of our statutory homelessness duties.   We would be unable to effectively prevent homelessness, provide housing advice or provide temporary accommodation to those that we owe a statutory duty towards.  Caseloads for the housing options officers would increase to unmanageable levels and the service would be too stretched resulting in less homelessness prevention and relief; rough sleeping may also increase as a result. We would also be unable to effectively manage our housing register, deal with enquiries and advertise social rented homes for rent.  Enabling and monitoring of new affordable homes would also reduce resulting in less new supply- this in turn would increase temporary accommodation costs and numbers on the housing register. There will be a reduction in partnership working with housing providers that would have a longer-term detrimental effect to affordable housing supply and communities.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Housing Strategy and Homelessness by 25%

We would be unable to employ enough officers to meet all of our statutory homelessness duties.   Caseloads for the housing options officers would increase to unmanageable levels and the service would be stretched. Our ability to prevent homelessness, provide advice to those in need and provide temporary accommodation would be impaired. We would also struggle to effectively manage our housing register and deal efficiently with enquiries from applicants.  Enabling and monitoring of new affordable homes would not be as effective, which would result in less new supply which would increase temporary accommodation costs and numbers on the housing register.  There will be a reduction in partnership working with housing providers that would have a longer-term detrimental effect.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Housing Strategy and Homelessness by 10%

Our ability to meet all of our statutory homelessness duties would be impaired.   Caseloads for the housing options officers would increase and the service would be stretched. Enabling and monitoring of new affordable homes would not be as effective. which may result in less new supply, increased temporary accommodation costs and higher numbers on the housing register.  There will be a reduction in partnership working with housing providers that would have a longer-term detrimental effect. Other activities will need to be reduced and longer response times to customers may result.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Housing Strategy and Homelessness by 5%

Some impact on the service being able to fulfil strategic housing functions, less able to enable and monitor delivery of affordable housing.  Other activities will need to be reduced and longer response times to customers may result

Consequences of keeping the budget for Housing Strategy and Homelessness the same

The service could be maintained at its current level.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Housing Strategy and Homelessness by 5%

Bring in additional part time capacity to the housing register team and also around tenancy sustainment to increase the number of homelessness preventions.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Housing Strategy and Homelessness by 10%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Sports and Leisure by 50%

Stop and reduce services provided by leisure centres

Significantly increase fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Sports and Leisure by 25%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Sports and Leisure by 10%

Ending Active Lichfield school holiday sessions and we would need to review services provided by leisure centres

Increase fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Sports and Leisure by 5%

Reduction in Active Lichfield programme - fewer sessions. Increased risk of exclusion and antisocial behaviour.

Marginally increase fees and charges

Consequences of keeping the budget for Sports and Leisure the same

The service could be maintained at its current level if increase in line with Government limits - 2.99%.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Sports and Leisure by 5%

Consequences of increasing the budget for Sports and Leisure by 10%

A full time Activator could be employed who could deliver a new programme of targeted health and well-being interventions to support those residents that would benefit most.

Wider range of services provided by leisure centres

Reduce fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Licensing and Public Protection by 50%

Unable to undertake any discretionary functions and significant impact on statutory functions.  Government likely to intervene to deliver services at increased cost to local taxpayers.  Substantial impact on public health, safety, wellbeing, crime, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Significantly Increase non statutory fees and charges and consider further fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Licensing and Public Protection by 25%

Unable to achieve number of high-risk food hygiene inspections required by Food Standards Agency.  Focus on legal duties will result in no environmental crime or community safety interventions undertaken.  Long delays in processing licenses and consultation responses.  No workplace health and safety interventions.  Considerable impact on public health, safety, wellbeing, crime, environmental quality and animal welfare. 

Significantly Increase non statutory fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Licensing and Public Protection by 10%

Average response times doubling to 7 days. Increased expectation on residents to solve issues themselves (noisy neighbours, fly tipping on private land, disrepair in rented properties). Delay in supporting enterprise (inspecting new food businesses, licensing new businesses, consulting on planning and licensing applications). No capacity for any proactive work. Marginal impact on public health, safety, wellbeing, crime, environmental quality and animal welfare.

Increase non statutory fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Licensing and Public Protection by 5%

No capacity to undertake fixed penalty patrols for litter, dog fouling etc.  Unable to achieve number of low-risk food hygiene inspections required by Food Standards Agency.  End of free advice to new businesses and developments.    

Increase non statutory fees and charges

Consequences of keeping the budget for Licensing and Public Protection the same

The service could be maintained at its current level

Consequences of increasing the budget for Licensing and Public Protection by 5%

Employ 1 FTE.  Increase capacity to undertake food hygiene inspections to move closer to achieving Food Standards Agency targets to decrease ill-health and hospital admissions.  

Maintain non statutory fees and charges

Consequences of increasing the budget for Licensing and Public Protection by 10%

Employ 2FTE.  Plus Increase to fixed penalty patrols to reduce litter and dog fouling.  Greater capacity to improve standards in private rented housing.  Proactive work to identify and shut down puppy farms.  Increased work to improve local air quality.
          
Maintain or reduce non statutory fees and charges

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Events and Culture by 50%

The long-term viability of the Garrick would need to be considered with the potential for a major impact on District’s economy and reputation. Ticket prices or commercial income could significantly increase to offset funding reductions.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Events and Culture by 25%

The long-term viability of the Garrick would need to be considered with the potential for a significant impact on District’s economy and reputation. Ticket prices or commercial income could increase to offset funding reductions

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Events and Culture by 10%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Events and Culture by 5%

The artistic programme would need to be reviewed to minimise the impact on District’s economy and reputation or additional income would need to be generated to offset funding reductions.

Consequences of keeping the budget for Events and Culture the same

The service could be maintained at its current level - reduction in direct funding from £150k to £100k planned in 2024/25

Consequences of increasing the budget for Events and Culture by 5%

Would support the Garrick theatre to develop a marginally broader programme of shows or be able to marginally reduce ticket prices.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Events and Culture by 10%

Would support the Garrick theatre to develop a broader programme of shows or be able to reduce ticket prices

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Tourism by 50%

With a heavily reduced budget and limited staff, it would be a challenge to continue to deliver a tourism service for the district. Consider fees and charges, sponsorship, and partner contributions

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Tourism by 25%

With a significantly reduced budget and limited staff, it would be a challenge to continue to deliver a very limited tourism service for the district. Consider fees and charges, sponsorship and partner contributions

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Tourism by 10%

The district would attract fewer visitors, meaning less money spent here which would affect jobs, the economy and the district’s reputation. Consider fees and charges and sponsorship 

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Tourism by 5%

Less money for marketing and information to attract national and international tourists. Consider fees and charges and sponsorship

Consequences of keeping the budget for Tourism the same

The service could be maintained at its current level

Consequences of increasing the budget for Tourism by 5%

Part time, extra resource with experience in visitor economy PR

Maintain current fees and charges

Consequences of increasing the budget for Tourism by 10%

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Business Support and Investment by 50%

Very limited business support and more reactive service

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Business Support and Investment by 25%

Limited business support and more reactive service

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Business Support and Investment by 10%

Less business support and more reactive service

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Business Support and Investment by 5%

Less business support

Consequences of keeping the budget for Business Support and Investment the same

The service could be maintained at its current level

Consequences of increasing the budget for Business Support and Investment by 5%

Higher level of business support

Consequences of increasing the budget for Business Support and Investment by 10%

Greater business support and more proactive service

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Customer Services by 50%

We would be unable to meet the statutory requirements to collect revenue for the district. Major impact on residents and business and the council due to the loss of revenue.  Unacceptable levels of delays in processing claims and change of circumstances for both revenues and benefits could lead to homelessness and major impact on those vulnerable in our district. 

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Customer Services by 25%

Reduction in staffing will lead to unacceptable delays in how quickly we respond to customer enquiries (phone, email and live chat) and unacceptable delays in new benefit claims, changes of circumstances and in awarding discounts and exemptions to local people.  Reduction in recovery which could result in a reduction in revenue to the council.

Unacceptable levels of delays in processing claims and change of circumstances for both revenues and benefits could lead to homelessness and major impact on those vulnerable in our district.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Customer Services by 10%

Reduction in staffing will lead to major delays in how quickly we respond to customer enquiries (phone, email and live chat) and major delays in new benefit claims, changes of circumstances and in awarding discounts and exemptions to local people – leading to financial instability for many vulnerable customers.  Reduction in recovery which could result in a reduction in revenue to the council.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Customer Services by 5%

Reduction in staffing will lead to significant delays in how quickly we respond to customer enquiries (phone, email and live chat) and significant delays in new benefit claims, changes of circumstances and in awarding discounts and exemptions to local people.  Reduction in recovery which could result in a reduction in revenue to the council.

Consequences of keeping the budget for Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Customer Services the same

The service could be maintained at its current level, with existing planned enhancements to response times.

Would allow the team to focus on delivering efficiencies which long term will reduce the cost of the service.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Customer Services by 5%

Would allow the team to focus on delivering efficiencies which long term will reduce the cost of the service.

Would lead to increases in how quickly we respond to

customer enquiries (phone, email and live chat) and process new benefit claims, changes of circumstances. This would lead to financial support reaching residents more quickly.

Would also allow the council to focus more on recovery action which will boost the income levels to the council and ultimately boost the funding available for other local services.

Would allow the team to focus on delivering efficiencies which long term will reduce the cost of the service

Consequences of increasing the budget for Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Customer Services by 10%

Would lead to significant increases in how quickly we respond to

customer enquiries (phone, email and live chat) and process new benefit claims, changes of circumstances. This would lead to financial support reaching residents more quickly.

Would also allow the council to focus more on recovery action which will boost the income levels to the council and ultimately boost the funding available for other local services.

Would allow the team to focus on delivering efficiencies which long term will reduce the cost of the service.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Traffic and Parking by 50%

Major reduction on enforcement and maintenance will result in reduction in usage and income equalling more complaints from unattractive car park offering.  Car parks become hot spots for ASB, crime increases as well as insurance claims.  

Significantly reduce fees and charges.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Traffic and Parking by 25%

No maintenance in free/smaller car parks and reduced maintenance in larger more popular car parks.  Reduction in enforcement hours resulting in parking issues/complaints and reduced income from users not paying.  Increased backlog of repairs to parking equipment and road surfaces. This would lead to less attractive car parks, more complaints, fewer visits and increase in insurance claims.

Significantly reduce fees and charges.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Traffic and Parking by 10%

Reduced maintenance in free/smaller car parks.  Increased backlog of repairs to parking equipment and road surfaces. This would lead to less attractive car parks, more complaints, fewer visits and increase in insurance claims.

Reduce fees and charges.

Consequences of decreasing the budget for Traffic and Parking by 5%

Reduction in cleaning and maintenance. Will result in standards dropping across the car parks and looking less inviting.

Marginally reduce fees and charges.

Consequences of keeping the budget for Traffic and Parking the same

The service could be maintained at its current level

Consequences of increasing the budget for Traffic and Parking by 5%

More resource to make car park improvements and increase enforcement hours which will result in safer car parks

Increase fees and charges.

Consequences of increasing the budget for Traffic and Parking by 10%

More resource to make car park improvements, with additional sinking funds to plan for future development/improvements.  Should also be able to increase enforcement hours which will result in safer car parks and increase in income

Significantly increase fees and charges and consider new discretionary fees and charges.