Budget 2009/10 Questionnaire This questionnaire is to help Dudley Council set a budget and Council Tax for the year starting on 1st April 2009. We are looking for your views on: . which services provided by the Council you think are important; . the balance between spending and Council Tax. Q1 Overall, do you think spending on services should:   Be increased Stay the same Be reduced Q2 Now, looking at the main services the Council provides, please indicate for each one whether you think spending should increase, stay the same, or be reduced. (Tick one box on each line only.)   Spend should increase   Spend should stay the same   Spend should be reduced   Schools       Support to Schools       Youth Services and Community Centres       Adult Education       Libraries / Archives       Refuse Collection, Disposal & Recycling       Street Cleaning & Litter Removal       Maintenance of Roads & Footpaths       Reducing Traffic Congestion       Arts & Entertainment       Museums & Heritage       Parks & Open Spaces       Sports Facilities & Leisure Centres       Helping Create New Jobs & Businesses       Care & Support for Children & Families       Care & Support for Older People       Care & Support for  People with Mental Health Problems, Learning or Physical Disabilities       Crime Prevention & Public Safety     Q3 Bearing in mind your answers to questions 1 and 2, which of the following statements best reflects your views on next year's Council Tax: (Tick one box only)   a. Overall spending on services should be maintained or increased even if this means an increase in Council Tax well above the rate of inflation. b. Spending on important services should be maintained at the expense of other services, even if this means a Council Tax increase above the rate of inflation c. The Council Tax increase should be no more than the rate of inflation, even if this mean significant reductions in spending on services. Q4 Are there any other issues we should take into account when considering next year's budget and Council Tax? Q5 To help us analyse the responses to this questionnaire, it would be helpful if you could tell us:           Your age:   18-24 25-44 45-64 65+ Q6 Where you live:   Dudley Brierley Hill Halesowen Stourbridge Sedgley/Coseley/Gornal Don't live in Dudley Borough Q7 Is your Council Tax bill reduced by Benefit?   Yes No

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