Budget 2024/26 Consultation
People are being encouraged to have their say on local spending priorities as part of the council’s 2024/26 budget setting process and to help identify ways to plug an estimated £5.4 million gap over the next two years.
The council has today, Friday 8 December 2023, launched a budget consultation covering the 2024/26 period.
As it stands, the council faces a funding gap of £5.4m made up of an estimated £800,000 shortfall for the 2024/25 financial year and a projected £4.6m in 2025/26.
An online survey has now been launched seeking the views of residents about what their local priorities are to help direct spending and identify potential savings across a range of council services.
Feedback from the consultation will help council officials and councillors to make decisions when setting the budget.
People are being invited to have their say on the importance of a range of services, from roads, public toilets, and waste, to teachers, school transport, and clothing grants.
Views are also being sought on areas such as libraries, community centres, community grants, and community learning and development initiatives, as well as employability services, free swimming for children, community wardens, and registrars.
Feedback is also being sought on potential Council Tax levels with increases of up to 10 per cent.
Local authorities have a legal obligation to deliver a balanced budget.
The council’s projected budget shortfall and any associated savings are dependent on a variety of factors, including the level of local government grant from the Scottish Government, which accounts for around 80 per cent of council funding, and the rate of Council Tax.
The Scottish Government is due to publish its draft 2024/25 budget, including the local government settlement, on 19 December 2023.
The Inverclyde Council 2024/26 budget consultation will run until Friday 5 January 2024.
The consultation survey is now available via the link in the Related Links section of this page.