News from Buckinghamshire Council - Spending priorities for 2023/24

Time is running out for residents to have their say on what priorities Buckinghamshire Council should focus its budget on in the coming year.

Last month the council opened its Money Matters consultation which sets out what proportion of the budget is currently spent on services and invites the public to say what areas and services they would like to see prioritised for future spending.

The consultation closes at midnight this Sunday (20 November) so there is not long left to have your say.

The council’s budget covers a range of services including:

• Road repairs and improvements
• Care for vulnerable adults and children
• Running libraries and leisure centres
• Bin collections and waste services
• Keeping streets and open spaces clean and safe
• Support for those facing hardship

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council explained: “We know times are incredibly tough for everyone at the moment. Every year we face difficult decisions on how to prioritise council spending and this year is going to be one of the most difficult ever. With pressures from all areas, balancing the books is going to be extremely challenging. That is why it is more important than ever for residents to tell us what they think and to give us their views on where they believe we should prioritise our spending.”

Martin continued: “The feedback we get from residents is an important part of the decision-making process and we look at all of it closely so please, I would urge everyone to take ten minutes to take part. We want to make sure we are taking all views on board as we go forward in our budget setting process.”

Once the survey has closed, the council will consider all feedback during the following phase of the budget setting process. The full budget proposal will be announced early next year for further feedback and scrutiny before it is agreed and finalised in February and implemented from 1 April 2023.

To take part in the survey visit: http://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/money-matters-consultation