Council launches consultation on its budget

AS part of its consultation on next year's budget, Warrington Borough Council is asking residents to have an input in some of the decisions involved in setting the 2005/06 budget. 

Using the cutting-edge capabilities of the Internet, a questionnaire will aim to seek opinions on Council Tax levels, spending options and areas where the Council could increase charges or make savings. For more information click here. Residents will have until the end of January to give their views and ideas for balancing next year's budget. 

Cllr John Morris, Executive Member for Resources and Performance, said:- "As a Council we have to make important decisions, on behalf of the town and its communities, about the level of budget we set and about the level of council tax. Before these spending decisions are made, we need people to come forward and give us their views."

Cllr Morris added:- "Warrington like many other local councils will face a difficult task to balance next year's budget. There are many pressures on next year's budget including a continuing rise in demand for council services and the need to meet new legislative changes. Being realistic, while the government may provide in part some of the funding to meet these pressures, we will also have to look at cutting back or reducing costs for some services or look to raise Council Tax to find the rest of the money to balance the budget. These are serious considerations and that is why we need the people to come forward and have their say about how we set next year's budget."

The Council will be considering all of these issues and looking at various options to balance the 2005/06 budget early in the new year. It will make a final decision on the budget and level of Council Tax at the end of February 2005.

Get you jab before going away!

THE British Franchise Exhibition at the GMEX, Manchester, taking place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 January 2005 will have a wide range of franchisers, expert advisors and a superb seminar programme all under one roof, and will be the perfect place to find out all there is to know about franchising. 

Visitors to the show will meet with an array of well-established franchised companies and assess the benefits of running their own business as part of an established franchise brand. Franchising is growing rapidly worldwide as a proven way to develop successful new business ventures because it offers ready-made solutions to the uncertainties faced by those wanting to set up a new venture. It is big business, with franchise operations in the UK now turning over nearly £10billion a year.

Over 80 companies are exhibiting at the show providing a superb opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of a particular business face-to-face. Exhibitors already confirmed include:- 247 Staff, Agency Express, Bairstow Eves Countrywide, Benjy's, Car Medic, ChipsAway, Dream Doors, Driver Transport Training, Eurotalk International, Fastsigns, Granite Transformations, ICON Business Solutions, Kevin Chin Noodles, Kwik Jet, Lasertech UK, Liquid Lens Europe, MinuteMan Press, Original Poster Company, Plumbfast, Pronuptia Bridal & Mens Formal Wear, Protex Solutions, Signs Express, Star Brite Chemicals, United Carpets, Wimpy International and Windsor Recruitment, to name but a few. In addition, a series of high-profile speakers from the UK franchise industry will be on hand to offer expert tips and advice on how to become a successful franchisee or franchiser.

A further highlight of the exhibition is a series of free seminars run by The British Franchise Association. 

Seminars

· 11:15 & 15:45 Friday and 10:15 & 14:30 Saturday, 'An introduction to franchising', for prospective franchisees. 

The seminars are aimed at aspiring business owners, new to the franchising concept and will address issues including:- the benefits of franchising versus other business formats; what the franchisor looks for in a franchisee; what a franchisee should look for in a franchisor; the size and the expected growth in the franchise market; the initial choice of franchise; the business plan and the finance and how to get it. The panellists are all either BFA affiliated or BFA members.

· 13:30 Friday & 12:30 Saturday, 'How to franchise your business', for prospective franchisors. 

The free hour-long seminar consists of a short introduction to franchising as a means of expanding an existing business or developing a new venture.

The Growing Your Own Business Showcase and Conference

The Growing Your Own Business Showcase and Conference profiles companies that offer small business advice and can help take established businesses to the next stage. The showcase will be supported by free seminars, providing practical advice and information on all aspects of growing a business. Speakers include leading advisors, consultants and successful entrepreneurs who will provide case studies and success stories. 

To register for the British Franchise Exhibition in Manchester incorporating The Growing Your Own Showcase and Conference call 01280 707433 or visit www.franinfo.co.uk.

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