Lincs: Get answers about the council’s budget at meeting

People will get the chance to question the county council’s leader and executive councillor for finance about the authority’s budget during the meetings.

As well as looking at which services are compulsory and which are optional, the meetings will explain where savings have already been made and how the authority is funded.

Executive councillor for finance at the county council, Coun Marc Jones, said: “We feel it’s really important to give people every opportunity to have their say on how public money is raised and spent in the county. It’s also important that the full extent of our budget reduction and our compulsory expenditure is explained so that there is a clear picture of the options we have going forward.

“As well as the public meetings, people will also be able to view our budget proposals online when they are released, and give us their feedback. You can already take part in our survey to tell us where you think we should prioritise our spending which will help us make these difficult decisions.”

Lincolnshire County Council is facing a budget reduction of at least £40 million for the next financial year, with savings of at least £130 million needed over the next four years.

The council has put together a survey of some discretionary services to ask people their views on their budget priorities. The survey will be featured in the next edition of County News, and can also be accessed at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/budget.

The meeting will be at The Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough at 6pm.