Public urged to have say on council spending priorities

MEMBERS of the public still have time to have their say on Dundee City Council’s spending priorities for the next financial year.

The ongoing budget consultation will close at the end of January after being extended to give more people a chance to respond. The budget itself is due to be set in March.

Willie Sawers, deputy convener of the council’s policy and resources committee, said: “We’ll soon be sitting down to plan the budget for the year ahead.

“It’s been a difficult year with Covid-19, which is obviously having a huge economic impact on the city and the council, so that makes it all the more important that the public have a view on how the council spends its money.

“We know everyone has had a different experience throughout the pandemic and that will have undoubtedly affected individuals’ views on the council’s services.

“We want to reflect that in our budgetsetting process, so this year, more than ever, it’s important that members of the public share their priorities with us.

“The council spends money on a vast range of services, ranging from children and education to care services for older people, housing, parks, bin collections, road maintenance and a whole host of other services.

“We want to know which of these services have become more important to individuals over the last year and how that should be reflected in next year’s budget.

“I’m grateful to the many people across the city who have already taken part in the consultation, and would certainly urge anyone who lives or works in the city, or uses the services provided by the council, to have their say too.”

Mr Sawers added: “There is a considerable amount of information to be factored in to drawing up the council’s budget and the feedback from the consultation process helps us to have a better handle on what people in Dundee are thinking, which in turn helps us to make more informed financial decisions.

“Council services are used by everyone who lives and works in Dundee and our decisions directly affect them, so it is vital that as many people as possible take part in the consultation.”

Visit consult.dundeecity.gov.uk.

Councillor Willie Sawers