A COUNCIL plans to publish its responses to people who came up with ideas to save Calderdale Council cash.

The council will give its formal response to the 700 comments from people who passed on their ideas to help Calderdale Council reduce costs and improve services.

In September of last year, the council launched a formal consultation, asking people which services mattered to them most and how they thought the council could save money.

Residents and council staff were able to submit their ideas over a two month consultation period.

Members used the results – along with financial and other information – to put together draft proposals for the council’s budgets and services over the coming years.

Detailed proposals were then drawn up before councillors agreed a budget at the end of February.

Calderdale Council is now publishing responses to every one of the suggestions it received.

Council leader Clr Janet Battye said publishing the responses was the right thing to do.

She said: “People in Calderdale were really keen to help by telling us what services were important to them.

“They were also keen to make suggestions of how we could go about making savings.

“We have been able to take on board many of the great ideas that Calderdale residents and staff have put forward and we are now letting people know how we are putting those ideas into action.

“But it’s equally important that where we’ve not been able to take up suggestions, we let the people who have made them know why.

“I want people to know – local residents, staff and businesses – that we have every intention of continuing to ask, listen and respond to them.

Calderdale Council’s deputy leader Clr Tim Swift said it was important that the Council provided people with feedback.

He said: “The council was recently praised for the way in which it carried out consultation on its budget for 2011/12.

“The Big Society Deregulation Task Force recognised the council’s good work in making sure that partners in the voluntary and community sectors were fully consulted about budget options.”

The ideas and responses can be found on the internet at www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/consultations

Copies are also available at main libraries – including Elland and Brighouse – or by contacting Sarah Barker on 01422 393272.