Still time to have your say on how Basildon Council budget should be set

Do you think Basildon Council should spend more, less or the same on maintaining parks and open spaces? Does strengthening the local economy matter more or less to you than making people happier, healthier, independent and active? These are some of the questions that Basildon Council has been asking residents and businesses in its budget survey which closes on Sunday September 8.

Basildon Council gets no general government grant funding at all. This means the council must get all of its income from council tax, business rates, money it can raise itself and specific grants it can bid for.

In setting its budget it must balance its income with its spending by increasing income or reducing spending. And this is what it wants your views on.

Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Council, said: “Demand for council services continues to increase and so does the cost of providing them. We will make sure we get maximum value in everything we do, but we have to find ways to increase our income or reduce spending if we are to balance our budget and deliver what is needed for our residents. Without action we are heading for a budget shortfall of £3.1million by 2022/23.

“I would like to thank the hundreds of residents who have already shared their views with us and would encourage anyone who hasn’t already – to fill in the survey before it closes on Sunday. I hope as many residents as possible will use this opportunity to have their say on the important task of setting a balanced budget.”

Feedback from the survey will be used by councillors as they set the budget and council tax for 2020/21.

To take part in the survey just visit www.basildon.gov.uk/budget-survey