Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Budget Consultation

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council would like to hear your views on its draft Council Plan to ensure the borough continues to be a great place to live over the next four years and budget proposals to support this.

The draft Council Plan for 2020 to 2024 sets the key priorities for the council over the next four years and into the future.

With a focus on putting residents at the heart of everything the council does, four priorities have been developed – strengthening communities, protecting and enhancing our environment, improving safety and planning for the future.

Supporting the council plan, proposals for a balanced budget for 2020 to 2021 aim to protect services that residents value.

To do this, proposals include a £5 average increase for the borough’s part of the council tax and a 3% average increase in fees and charges to help pay for the cost of optional services the council offers.

Over the last 11 years £13.7 million in savings have been made without cutting services, with the borough council continuing to look at how it can run more efficiently.

Further savings of £1.42 million have been identified in 2020/21, increasing to £1.82 million by 2023/24.

Executive Director of Finance and Resources said: “Residents give the area a 94% satisfaction rating however the council is not complacent. Based on what people and businesses have said matters to them, this draft plan sets priorities that put residents at the heart of the council’s future plans.

“This is supported by the council’s proposals to deliver a balanced budget for 2020 to 2021.

“As residents, businesses and partner organisations are key to the success of these plans, the council would like to hear from a range of people to help shape its proposals.”

To give your views on our Council Plan and budget proposals, please go to www.basingstoke.gov.uk/priorities. Feedback from the consultation,which runs until Wednesday 1 January at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/priorities, will be considered before final decisions on the Council Plan and budget are taken at a meeting of Council in February.

If you require information in an alternative format, such as paper, please contact the council by emailing customer.service@basingstoke.gov.uk or by calling 01256 844844