Budget Consultation 14 November – 11 December with a chance to win £80 voucher

Date: 
Tuesday, 15 November, 2022

reads have your say with large quotations The Council elected in May this year is due to set its first Budget in February for the 2023/24 financial year. Balancing the Council budget will be no mean feat, with Council papers this month showing that current forecasts are suggesting there could be a funding gap in the region of £20 million.

Council Leader Gordan Low has launched a four week Budget Consultation, seeking views from the people of East Dunbartonshire on some of the commitments that have already been made and thoughts on some of the decisions that will be taken ahead of next year’s budget.

Councillor Low explained, “Following the election earlier this year we identified our biggest challenges as the ongoing cost of living crisis, impacting all our households and the global climate emergency. We also gave a commitment to engage with and seek the views of our communities to inform our decision making.

“I am in no doubt how difficult setting the Council Budget for 2023/24 will be. Not only are our residents and service users facing huge financial challenges themselves, but that very cost of living crisis makes delivering Council services even more expensive – at a time when funding for all parts of the public sector is already under enormous pressure.

“While the Council will set the Budget in February, we want to hear the views from our communities in three key areas – potential increases in Council Tax and fees; the range of cost of living supports we have already put in place; and by what possible means more services could be delivered directly in the heart of our communities.”

The Budget consultation “Have YOUR say” is now live and will run until Sunday 11 December. The findings will inform the Council’s budget decisions.

A budget consultation webpage has been created and the survey, complete the survey online, it should only take about five minutes to complete. If anyone is unable to complete the survey online, they can contact Customer Services on 0300 1234510 and arrangements can be made for a paper survey to be provided.

During the four week consultation period, Council team members will be visiting community centres, hubs, halls and leisure centres throughout the area to help people to take part. The survey is a great way to share your views and inform the budget decisions.

As a thank you for those who take the time to participate, there is an opportunity to enter a prize draw for one of five £80 Farmfood vouchers, which will be provided to the five lucky winners following the draw on 12 December, in time to spend towards Christmas celebrations.

graphic with people with thought bubbles and text reading Budget Consultation 14 November – 11 December