Budget Consultation- last chance to have your say

The council would like to remind residents that our budget consultation is due to close this Sunday (4 February). Your comments can help the authority prioritise how services are delivered in the future.

Your responses will help inform the final proposals that will be presented at a full council meeting for a decision in February 2024.

Some of the biggest budget pressures include:

• The demand for adult social care support (referrals and interventions) has risen from 4,351 in 2022 to 5,137 in 2023, an increase of 18 per cent.
• The number of homeless people supported in temporary accommodation has also risen significantly since 2019 when the spend was £135,000. It’s now anticipated to be £4.7m in 2023/2024.
• The number of families requiring support from children’s social services has increased from 7,254 in 2022 to 11,355 in 2023 an increase of 56.53 per cent.
• The cost of home to school transport has increased from £6.021m in 2020/2021 to a projected spend of £9.782m in 2023/2024.

To make your views known about the 2024-25 council budget, and to find out more please visit the council’s website.

The survey closes on Sunday 4 February 2024.