The council’s budget setting process will take into account the responses to the consultation, advice from council officers, elected members from political groups, businesses and partners in health and other public service organisations across Suffolk.
Results of the consultation will be included in the report considered by the council when agreeing the budget in February 2024.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and environment, said:
“When we ran this survey last year, we had a fantastic response from around 2,700 Suffolk residents and businesses. I would welcome even more people completing this year’s short survey, to contribute to our decision-making.
“Last year it gave us excellent insight into the public’s priorities, with social care services for adults and children being high on that list. This aligned with the council’s thinking and we invested an additional £50m in these areas for this current year.”
The council’s budget consultation helps to explain the council’s finances, what it has been doing to save money, and how it can generate more money to spend on public services.
The two main ways in which the council can increase the budget, are an increase in the money it receives from government, and/or through Council Tax.
There are three key questions, the first is on which services people have recently used, the second asks for thoughts on seeking a greater contribution to Council Tax to help fund public services, and the third on which service area you would like to see more money spent.
Cllr Rout continues:
“For years this administration has managed our finances well, and we have built up appropriate reserves to be able to see us through difficult times. We’re facing those times now, but can only spend our reserves once, meaning our budget for next year will bring new challenges.
“We continue to lobby government, to demonstrate the challenges we are facing, despite our success making savings each year. Many other councils are doing the same, Suffolk is not alone in this.
“To hear from Suffolk residents about the services they use, and their thoughts on Council Tax for next year, will be very helpful as we plan ahead.”
The online consultation opens on 25 October and closes on 4 December 2023, and can be found at www.suffolk.gov.uk/budget. Focus groups are also being organised with local community groups and members of the public, details of which will be shared on the council’s website and social media channels.
