22/01/2014 - Permalink

Share views on budget proposals

Related topics: Community

People are being invited to share their views on Shropshire Council’s budget proposals for the next three years.

Residents have already been involved in their development and are being urged to continue to offer their thoughts on the plans. A summary of the proposals and an online survey is available to fill in at shropshire.gov.uk/have-your-say

Councillor Keith Barrow, Council Leader, said:

“Like all public services, Shropshire Council faces spending cuts in the coming years.

“To address this challenge, we are reinventing how we work across the council. We are redesigning everything we do, focusing on the customer.

“In the development of our budget proposals to date, people have told us what makes the most difference to them, and their ideas on how things could run more efficiently.

“Rapid Action Groups of councillors are also scrutinising the proposals and the council’s draft business plan.

“This is another chance, before the budget is agreed, for people to say whether they think our proposals put forward the best ways to address the funding gap of £80 million over the next three years.

“Points made that highlight any alternatives to get the most from our funds and resources, and still ensure that services are meeting customers’ needs, will be carefully considered.”

People can also comment on proposals for new schemes and see how the council’s overall budget of more than £600 million is proposed to be spread across different services.

The survey, running until 9 February, enables people to share views on proposals for all service areas, or if they have a particular interest in one for a few areas they can just comment on these.

The council Business Plan and Financial Strategy, including the proposals, will go to a meeting of full Council at the end of February.

If you would like to take part in the survey but don’t have access to the internet please call the Customer Services team on 0345 678 9000 or write to Customer Services, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.