Residents are being invited to have their say on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s spending plans for the coming year following a special online Budget Forum held on 14th December.

The forum, chaired by Council Leader, Councillor Kevin Guy, saw the Council’s Chief Finance Officer, Andy Rothery, Chief Executive Will Godfrey and Councillor Richard Samuel, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Resources and Economic Development outline the Council’s current financial position, the ongoing financial pressures it faces and how it is proposing to spend its limited resources.

Residents are now being asked to feedback on the

information on the Council’s budget plans presented to the forum before the Council draws up its detailed budget proposals for 2022/23.

Councillor Richard Samuel said: “It’s important

residents understand the financial challenge we face, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to present this Budget Forum.

“This year we managed our finances well, we’ve continued to deliver frontline services, helped people through the pandemic and invested in our priorities to improve people’s lives, but our financial challenge is far from over. The pandemic is continuing to have a big impact on our income and we’re also facing an increase in demand for services, such as Children’s Social Care, recruitment and supply chain issues and inflationary pressures.

“We are lobbying the Government for further support, but we can’t rely on it and face a projected budget gap of around £15m in 2022/23.

“We’re proposing to set a budget of £134.3m. This would include significant investment in Children’s and Adult Services, to meet demand and fund care placements. We also plan to allocate additional funding to the Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services to expand our recycling teams to cope with the significant increase in kerbside and green waste being recycled by residents and to improve the pay of drivers to increase retention amid the national HGV driver shortage, reducing the risk of missed collections.

“But we want to hear what you think. This consultation is your chance to have your say before we put our detailed spending plans together.”

The consultation is open until Tuesday, 4th January. To take part visit, visit: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/have-your-say-our-budget-2022-2023

Alternatively, you can email your views to: [email protected] and you can watch the online forum on the Council’s Youtube channel.

The proposals will be scrutinised by Councillors at the Council’s Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels on

Monday 10th, Monday 17th, Wednesday 18th and

Monday, 31st January before being considered by Cabinet on Thursday, 10th February. Final decisions will be made at the Budget and Council Tax meeting on Tuesday, 15th February.