Have your say on the council’s spending priorities

Residents in Bridgend county borough are being asked to help shape the local authority’s spending priorities over the coming year.

Today (Monday, September 20), sees the launch of Bridgend County Borough Council’s annual budget consultation.

This year the budget consultation involves consideration of a longer-term vision for the county borough, covering areas such as investment in schools, roads, regeneration projects, energy schemes and sea defences; council tax levels; fees and charges for car parking and sports pavilions as well as the development of online services.

It also asks for the views of residents around how best to support local businesses, tourism and the economy.

The local authority delivers up to 800 services ranging from education and social services for children and older people to supporting the Covid-19 vaccination and the Test Trace Protect programme.

Council leader Huw David said: “The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a major impact on services and on the finances of both local and national governments.

“There is a lot of uncertainty around the longer term financial impact of the pandemic but we are still required by law to set a balanced budget and council tax levels.

“While we have experienced year-on-year reductions in funding there has been an increased demand on services – over the last ten years the council has made £62 million of budget reductions.

“We have to be honest with our communities and partners in saying that the council can no longer deliver all of the services as it once did nor always to the same level as in previous years.

“To help Council and Cabinet to make decisions about future spending it is important that residents take the time to have their say during the budget consultation to help ensure that we deliver effective and efficient services that are right for our communities.

“We need to know what has worked well, and where we need to continue to make changes or improvements as we recover from the pandemic to ensure that the council is able to deliver sustainable and effective services for the next five to 10 years.”

Responses from residents will be used to inform the medium term financial strategy for 2022/23 – 2025/26.

The consultation which opens today (Monday 20 September) ends on 14 November.

Fill in the survey online or for a hard copy of the survey email consultation@bridgend.gov.uk call 01656 643664 or write to Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB.

An easy read, large print and a youth version of the survey are all available.