Time is running out to have your say on budget priorities - Buckinghamshire Council

The clock is ticking and the opportunity to give your views on how the council should prioritise its spending next year is fast running out.

Residents, businesses and organisations across Buckinghamshire are being reminded that now is the time to have your say by taking part in our online budget consultation which closes on Sunday 14 November.

As the council prepares to set its budget for 2022/23, people are being invited to give their opinion on what services and areas should be given a higher priority and where they think savings could be made.

Gareth Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning & Regeneration said: “We know some people are sceptical about how much attention the council pays to the results of these consultations. A large proportion of our budget is already allocated to core services such as adult social care, education and children’s services, meaning we cannot use this money for any other purpose. However, there are other parts of the budget including spending on road and transport, culture and leisure, street cleaning and parks and open spaces where we have more flexibility and are able to make decisions on what to allocate where.

“We want to hear directly from people who use our services on what is important to them so we can give a higher priority to these areas. We’d also like to hear opinions on where people think savings could be made.”

The pandemic has seen local authorities across the country face new and ever-changing challenges. Increased costs across a range of areas, combined with reduced incomes, have only been partly balanced out by grants from central government.

Gareth continued: “We continue to face many pressures and need to make careful decisions on how we prioritise spending next year. We must prioritise support those most in need but we also want to stand by our commitment to making savings and efficiencies where possible so we can ensure every penny spent is done so wisely and effectively.”

Within the council’s Corporate Plan there are four priority areas outlined for the coming year:

• Strengthening our communities
• Improving our environment
• Protecting the vulnerable
• Increasing prosperity

The budget consultation is open until 14 November. To take part visit our website.