Swansea residents can have their say on Swansea Council’s budget for the next financial year.
The Council is facing the most difficult budget round for many years. As well as seeing its funding from the Welsh Assembly Government cut by £4.6m next year, the Council faces unavoidable increases in the costs of essential services such as social care.
It means that the Council will have to make savings totalling almost £17m in the coming year and, while £7m of reductions in management, administration and efficiencies have been proposed, there is more to do.
The budget for 2011/12 will be set at a meeting of the Council in February, but residents have the chance to offer feedback in the next few weeks.
Residents can have their say by logging on to the Council’s website at www.swansea.gov.uk/yourbudget and filling out the survey form before the closing date of January 14.
Hard copies of the survey will also be available at the Civic Centre and community libraries.
Those who take part in the survey will be asked to suggest their own ideas for reductions in services as well as being asked for views on a range of options already being considered.
Cllr Chris Holley, Leader of the Council, said: “These are the toughest financial times for local government in a generation.
“The Council is planning to prioritise spending on vulnerable people, schools and some streetscene services. But very difficult decisions will have to be made about how much we spend on services that matter to local people.
“So it’s only fair residents have a chance to comment before final decisions are made. The survey will guide people through options that we’re considering and they’ll have the chance to comment on them.
“But there will also be an opportunity for people to suggest alternatives and ways they think we can save money. If someone feels we should protect a service listed for savings, then they should also make suggestions on alternative ways to reduce the budget.
“We know this process isn’t easy because people value services that touch their lives every day. But in the light of the current economic climate and the reductions in funding, the status quo is not an option.”
Following the consultation period a report will be prepared for Cabinet which will consider options before finalising the budget. After that the report will go to Full Council in February for a decision.
The survey is also being distributed to local partnership organisations.
