Where should BCP Council spend their money next year?
The authority's looking for our views on their latest budget
We're being asked how we think BCP Council should spend their budget on in the next financial year.
A public consultation's been set up, calling on residents, service users, community groups and businesses to imagine what they'd do if they were in charge of the purse strings.
People taking part can look at all key council services, from supporting vulnerable adults and children to maintaining roads and highways and indicate if they would like to see a spending increase or decrease in each area.
The survey also asks what we think are the most important services, views on Council Tax rates and how informed they feel about the council’s overall financial situation.
BCP Council say they, like all other local authorities, are operating within an extremely challenging financial environment.
They say the surge in demand for council services is growing, while their funding has 'simply not kept up with this need'.
BCP Council Leader Millie Earl, said: “Councils across the country are dealing with an unprecedented funding crisis.
“Our priority is to protect key services, support the most vulnerable and provide a sound, stable financial future for the council, whilst working with other councils to raise the profile of the crisis in local government funding.
“Over the last year our robust financial governance and proactive budget management means we have taken significant steps to avoid serious government interventions that we have seen in other parts of the country. Our progress has seen government recently lift an improvement notice, known as a Best Value Notice, issued to us in 2023, following improvements in our culture, governance and finance.
“The council is working hard to remain on track throughout the next financial year. This means we must be hyper vigilant with our budget and work in a streamlined manner to find savings and efficiencies when we can.
“We’re putting our residents first. We want you to know we’re on your side and we want you to be involved in local decisions that affect you, your family and your community and that’s why we want to hear about your priorities for the council through this consultation.”
The consultation's open until 29th November through the BCP Council website. haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/budget
Hard copies are also available at local libraries.