Feedback is wanted on council budget

It’s a question of education and respect for others plain and simple – adults and kids alike

South Lanarkshire residents are being invited to share their views on the upcoming council budget.

The council is looking for local feedback on what has been deemed the ‘toughest ever’ budget as there is a £16.3 million gap between the money the council expect to receive and the cost of delivering services.

Council Leader Joe Fagan said:“The budget gap was initially £37.5m but it has been reduced through finding efficiencies.

“This has been achieved despite the fact that our real-term funding has fallen and we have had to find savings of more than £150m in the last decade.

“On top of that, the council is facing the same economic pressures that the current cost-of-living crisis is inflicting on everyone. Inflation is at 12 per cent, our gas and electricity bills have doubled, so the cost of delivering services has rocketed just at the time more people need our help.

“We will do everything humanly possible to protect frontline services as much as we can, but there is no hiding from the damage being done by under-funding and rising costs. So, this is the toughest budget yet, and it is more important than ever that local people tell us what matters to them most.”

Public consultation will include talks with local community groups but everyone can join in by taking part in a short survey that asks people what their priorities are and what they think the council should spend money on.

The public consultation is open and can be done online at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/budget-consultation, or ideas can be emailed to savings@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.

The consultation will end on February 8 so that responses can be organised and shared with councillors before they meet to set the budget for 2023-24.