We need your views on the budget urges council leader

Democracy and Local Affairs, Homepage

Buckinghamshire Council leader, Martin Tett is urging people to spare a few minutes to take part in this year’s budget consultation which closes on Sunday 8 November. The results of the consultation are used to make decisions on how the council’s budget is allocated next year.

Martin Tett explained: “Some people may think it is not worth taking part in the consultation as their views don’t count but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, as a council we have many legal and statutory obligations which quite rightly protect our most vulnerable adults and children. As a result, a large portion of our budget must be allocated to these services but there are many other service areas to consider. This consultation gives residents, businesses and other groups the opportunity to have their say on where more money should be spent and where they believe we could make savings.”

The consultation details outline how the council proposes to allocate its multi-million pound budget next year. Proposals include an investment of £29.5m on roads and transport, £3.8m on housing and nearly £3m on improving our town centres.

Martin Tett continued: “The Covid-19 pandemic has unquestionably impacted hard on our finances this year and this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. We have big savings to make over the next four years and at the same time we want to maintain and actually improve our services to residents. We want Bucks residents to tell us where we make those savings and where we should invest.

“As we have said previously, we know we have got some tough decisions ahead but the more public feedback we get, the better we are able to listen and act on what people are telling us. We need people to tell us what matters most to them.”

To take part in the survey visit our website. With five simple questions, it takes very little time to complete but the results will directly feed into discussions and decisions on how next year’s budget is allocated. The consultation will close on Sunday 8 November.