Have your say on budget challenge for Colchester

According to the authority, it faces a funding gap of around £2 million this year and £3.5 million next year, around 10% and 17% of its net budget respectively.

It's due to the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on its services such as leisure centres, museums and car parks.

An online survey has been launched today, 9th November, to understand where residents think money should be spent and saved ahead of the council agreeing its budget for 2021/2022 next January.

Initial plans to close the authority's funding gap includes what it has described as smarter ways of working, raising income where possible and cost cutting, including unavoidable job losses.

Councillor David King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Resources, said: "We are a careful and prudent council, committed to seeking to deliver the best possible services we can. To help enhance the quality of life for our residents and to do so cost effectively.

"However, like many of our businesses and residents we are having to face the harsh economic realities brought about by Covid-19 and the lockdowns and restrictions brought in to stop the spread of the virus.

"Right at the start of the pandemic the Government did promise to provide councils with whatever funding was needed to help them get through this period and come out the other side. While we have received some welcome funding, it is nowhere near the levels we need to support our services in the face of a huge loss of income.

"While we will continue pushing the Government to make good on their promises, we are asking residents to work with us, to ensure that we are using the limited resources we have in the best way for them and the borough as a whole."

The survey also involves finding out how well informed the public feel about the council's budget challenge and to rank services which are most important to them.

It's running until 4th December and can be found on the authority's website.

• colchester
• budget
• Survey
• coronavirus