Householders across the city are this week receiving their annual budget consultation documents, as City of York Council again faces an uphill battle to balance its books.

Residents will be asked which services they think the council should prioritise and where they think savings can be made.

Suggestions include:

• Changing the recycling service so householders get three boxes instead of one, and have to separate their own recyclables by type

• Above-inflation rises in the cost of services such as cremations, trade waste disposal and pest control

•Closing city-centre reception points

•Changing the amount spent on numerous services, including parking facilities, recycling, libraries, child care, art and culture.

The consultation also explicitly asks whether the public support job cuts at the council, which it says would allow more to be spent on front-line services.

Council leader Andrew Waller said the consultation was a vital step in drawing up the 2010/11 budget, which will be formally set next February.

He said: “With the current economic conditions, public spending is going to be limited over the next few years.

“Therefore it is vital that we consult with residents to find out their priorities to make sure we make the best use of the available funds.”

But Labour leader David Scott said the consultation was “flawed” and said it gave only a tiny insight into the council’s books.

“It is highly selective in what it offers as ‘choices’, and pays lip service to consulting the public,” he said.

The council recently unveiled the More For York programme, which it says will save £15 million over the next three years, but without impacting on services.

In previous years, the council has sought to avoid cutting services for vulnerable people, such as through social care, but has imposed above-inflation increases in council tax.

Last year, residents with a Minster Badge for parking faced their first rises in five years, with a 13.3 per cent hike.

Adult cremation fees also rose steeply, by 6.4 per cent from £563 to £599, while ResPark permits rose from £90 to £93, with larger rises for those with more than one car.

At the same time, spending on recycling, roads maintenance and looking after vulnerable children rose.

It is widely expected that councils across the country will face even more belt-tightening after the General Election, with public spending set to be slashed.

Coun Waller said: “We are aiming to improve the way in which the council works in order to allow us to tackle future challenges more effectively.

“The responses to the budget consultation will help shape our response to those challenges to ensure we continue to deliver for the residents of York.”

The council’s budget consultation can also be accessed online at york.gov.uk/consultation

Transport vision unveiled

AT the same time as being asked to help balance the city’s books, residents will also be invited to consider a new vision for transport in York.

The council has unveiled the draft of its third Local Transport Plan, for 2012 to 2017.

Residents will be asked to give their views on some transport challenges and how they fit in with the aims of fighting climate change and encouraging economic growth.

Responses to both consultations must be returned by Friday, December 18.

Kersten England, the council’s chief executive said: “We take the views of residents very seriously and these consultations give local people and interested parties chance to comment on two serious issues facing the city.

“The way that the council prioritises its spending and tackles issues such as how transport can contribute to the wider needs and aspirations for York will have far reaching implications for York in the next few years and beyond.

“I would encourage residents to take a few minutes to complete the questionnaires and return them to us as soon as possible.”