Residents urged to have their say as West Lindsey District Council launches budget consultation

It is offering people an opportunity to understand the current financial situation and share their priorities, helping to make sure that money is spent on local people’s priorities.

Leader of the Council, Coun Owen Bierley said hose who take part in the consultation can directly shape the final budget for next year.

He said: “Each year the council must agree a balanced budget. This means that our income must match our expenditure.

“Over the past 12 years this has been getting more difficult as government funding has fallen significantly, by around 38 per cent, whilst our costs and service demands continue to increase.

“We were already in a challenging position prior to the Covid-19, which has seen additional demand for services and significant reductions in our income streams.”

Coun Bierley continued: “Our financial strategy needs to focus on achieving long term financial sustainability to protect our existing services, as government funding is reduced and our services become wholly funded through Council Tax and Business Rates.

“In achieving this we need to reduce expenditure, increase income and generate new income from investment.

“This consultation therefore provides an opportunity for you to review and comment on the council’s approach to meeting the budget and your views on changes in Council Tax.”

With the Covid-19 pandemic and a wide range of uncertainty, the council is seeing increases in demand for services, increasing costs, reductions in income and continued uncertainty in terms of government funding and the future of the Business Rates system, which is likely to result in reductions.

Tracey Bircumshaw, Assistant Director, finance, business support and property services said the council’s financial strategy has aimed to become non-reliant on government grant funding.

She said: “Our income from local taxation is now 84% of our funding (46.6% 2010/11). This reflects the success of budget reductions through value for money initiatives, and increased income from both our commercial activities and fees and charges strategy.

“However our forward looking forecasts reflect a funding gap of circa £1m. “

A leaflet has been prepared to help inform residents prior to taking part in the consultation, which can be viewed online.

In addition, councillors and officers plan to be present on a number of market days throughout the district to discuss the consultation, with dates to be confirmed.

The consultation can be completed online through the council’s website or by requesting a paper survey.