People in Suffolk asked what services are most important to them
A public consultation's been launched ahead of next year's budget.
People in Suffolk are being asked what they want to see money spent on in the county over the next financial year.
The County Council's launched a public consultation ahead of budget decision in the new year, which will include whether or not to increase council tax by 4%.
It's after the Chancellor said in the Autumn Budget that the authority will have the option to raise Council Tax by 2% and Adult Social Care Precept by 2%.
It also needs to decide which frontline services to focus funding on.
The authority says the rising costs and increasing service demand means the finances of must be carefully considered to achieve a balanced budget.
The main priorities the Suffolk County Council will focus on this year include: promoting and supporting the residents' health and wellbeing, strengthening the local economy, protecting and enhancing the environment, and providing value for money for the Suffolk taxpayer.
Councillor Richard Rout, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment at Suffolk County Council, says: "As part of the annual budgeting process, it is important to hear your thoughts on the services we deliver, to understand which ones you believe should be prioritised, and how we may look to fund future spending in these areas."
Around 75p of every £1 Suffolk County Council spends supports those who need it most through Adult Care, Children's Services, and Public Health.
The remaining 25p in every £1 is then used to cover the cost of the many other vital services the Council provides, including Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, road maintenance or waste services.
With adult care alone costing around £271m each year, the Council is experiencing challenges in providing adult care and children's services within budget.
He added that if residents want them to spend money on specific services, they must spend less in other areas to balance their budget now and in the future. The consultation is said to help the Council understand more about where people place their priorities and how they feel about funding these services.
Cllr Rout continues: "I'm encouraged by the fact that the Chancellor has recognised the excellent work carried out by local authorities in the last year announcing new grant funding of £4.8billion for local authorities over the next three years. We wait to see in the coming months how much comes to Suffolk."
The Council will present a proposed budget at the Cabinet meeting on 1 February and discuss the final budget on 17 February 2022.
The consultation closes on Monday, 20 December 2021.