People across Buckinghamshire are being asked to have their say on how the County Council should spend their money next year, and help the Council make an important decision on next year's council tax increase.
A residents' survey, 'Your Council, Your Money, Your Choice', launches online today (Thursday 26th September) with the aim of getting people involved in helping to decide which areas of work the Council should focus on. Paper copies will also be available to pick up from Haddenham Community Library, adult learning centres and the County Council offices in Aylesbury.
Martin Phillips, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said: "We have managed to keep council tax at the same level for four years, but this is no longer an option with the funding cuts imposed by central government. We need our residents' help to decide how much the increase will be.
"The good news is that the council tax increase will give us additional funds to then spend on maintaining our main services to our most vulnerable people and improving the condition of the county's roads, which I know are top priorities for residents."
In last year's survey, 54 per cent of respondents said they didn't want to see any savings made in maintaining roads; 48 per cent said they wanted the voluntary community to help provide council services, and 82 per cent voted for a council tax freeze.
Martin Phillips said: "We listened to our residents, and worked to achieve a council tax freeze. What's more, we've committed an additional £58m over the last four years to road improvements, and we've also increased the amount of local involvement in council services. We want to listen again this year."
Peter Hardy, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: "We need to make sure that the resources we have available are used in ways that reflect the priorities of our residents, and so it is important we have a clear view of what those priorities are."
The 2013 survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, will be available online here until the closing date of 18th November.
The survey will be posted to a random selection of 3,000 residents, along with mail-outs to community groups and businesses for their views. In addition, a random selection of 1,000 residents will be invited to take part in a telephone survey.
Two survey respondents will be able to win one of two cash prizes of £100 each.
Read more about our budget consultation here.
