MORE THAN 1,000 responses have been received after the launch of a public consultation that will help inform spending decisions at next year’s Council Budget.
The feedback will be shared with all Elected Members to help them decide how to allocate funds for running services in 2024/25 and beyond.
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Phase 1 – which is running during July – asks residents what where they think the council’s spending priorities should lie.
Phase 2, which will be launched in autumn, will give people the chance to explore detailed options for producing a balanced budget, including finding necessary savings.
Participants are invited to award points to the service areas they regard as the most important. The online version includes a tool to help them do this.
The consultation can be accessed online at city libraries and the Customer Service Centre at Marischal College, and paper copies are also available at these locations.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “I am delighted so many people have already taken part in the budget consultation.
“The Council Budget affects everyone. That is especially true during a time when councils across Scotland face huge financial pressure and having to make some very difficult decisions.
“It’s vitally important that the City Council hears from as many residents as possible about what they believe should be the Council’s spending priorities.”
Councillor Alex McLellan, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation so far – and to encourage all citizens to have their say.
“The Council has before it significant questions about how we deliver services, and we are committed to listening to public in making the most of our resources.”
The results of Phase 1 will be reported to Full Council in August as part of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan. This will set out the estimated position for the years 2024/25 to 2027/28 and be the basis for Phase 2 of the consultation, which will be held in autumn.
