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Public have their say on cutbacks
Senior county council officials are taking to the streets of north Northamptonshire to face the public's questions as they look for ways to cut £100m from their budget over the next four years.
The You Choose roadshow is travelling across the area over the coming weeks to find out residents' priorities and which county council-provided services they think are the most important.
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Participants can fill in questionnaires listing their most important issues, and can also be filmed and put their views on video.
The first stop in the north of the county was in Corby on Saturday, when county council leader Jim Harker met the public at Willow Place.
He said: "I've had some good discussions and there are loads of issues people are talking about such as disabled access, care for the elderly and the condition of the roads.
"In Corby people are especially concerned with litter and rubbish collections, and are worried about overdevelopment, particularly if they live in a place like Weldon.
"The big thing coming out is that many proposals would mean more spending, which means cuts in other areas. Even if it means cutting back on spending somewhere else, that is what we will do if it is important to people."
Corby residents who took part in the event were concerned about a variety of issues.
Michelle Lowe said: "The roads are appalling and it doesn't help because Corby has been hit with these speed humps which we didn't want, and they are breaking up. Adult and social care is the most important thing as far as I'm concerned.
"I'm very passionate about it and I just feel the older generation are being penalised in so many ways."
Danielle Skillen, of Stuart Road, said: "They should open more centres to help young people get off the streets and stop getting in trouble with the law. I think they should help people between the ages of 16 and 21 because there is nothing for them to do around the town."
Gertie Morrison, of Campbell Road, uses a scooter to get about. She said: "The roads and pavements are impossible for scooters in most places. I can't get to the new railway station because the kerbs are too high."
Elizabeth Colman, of Highbrook, said: "There has been a big improvement in Corby and I wouldn't want any cutbacks to jeopardise that."
The tour will call at Thrapston Street Market on Tuesday, March 23, between 9am and 2pm; the Swansgate Centre in Wellingborough on Saturday, March 27, between 9am and 5pm and the Newlands Centre in Kettering on Tuesday, March 30, between 9am and 5pm.
For more information visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/youchoose.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North west
