Plymouth residents are being urged to give their views on the City Council’s plans to balance its books as it addresses a significant budget shortfall for next year.
The Council has launched a budget engagement exercise that invites residents to say which Council services they value the most and to give their views on ideas on its ongoing plans to reduce spending and raise income.
The Council is facing big challenges as it works on balancing a proposed revenue budget for next year of around £198 million. Like most councils, its funding and income continue to decrease, while demand for services rises, particularly for high cost social care for both adults and vulnerable children.
These pressures mean that in order to to set a balanced budget for the next year the Council needs to identify how it will close a £20 million gap between its resources and costs.
The Council is already working on a number of measures to help close the gap and wants to hear the views and ideas of Plymouth residents before decisions are made and it sets its 2022/23 budget in February.
Council Leader, Councillor Nick Kelly, said: “This administration is firmly committed to listening to Plymouth residents. We want to hear their views and ideas before we make important decisions about services in Plymouth for the year ahead.
“We want to know which services residents value the most and think we should prioritise, what their views are on our current plans and their ideas on how they think we might provide better value for money.
“Despite the financial challenges that we face, we remain ambitious for Plymouth and are working with partners to ensure our city builds back better after the pandemic. With our residents voices leading the conversation around the budget and priorities for Plymouth I know we will be able to deliver the best outcome for our city.
“We want to hear from every corner of Plymouth and are asking people to share this survey far and wide to friends, family and neighbours.
“Even if you just have one thought, one idea, one comment on how we spend our money and prioritise, we want to know.”
The questionnaire is available at www.plymouth.gov.uk/budget