Deadline approaches for people to have their say on council budget pro..

The council's budget consultation runs until January 16

People still have time to give Leicestershire County Council their views on its latest budget proposals.

Residents, businesses, parish councils and other organisations can complete a survey on the council’s financial plans – including what may happen to council tax bills from April 1 and council spending priorities up to 2026.

The consultation runs until midnight on Sunday January 16 and the survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, can be found here.

The county council is facing increasing pressure to fund social care both for vulnerable children and adults as well as an ageing population in the county.

While its proposals set out how a balanced budget can be achieved in the coming financial year, it has warned £100 million of savings will be needed by 2025/26.

From April 1, it is proposed County Hall’s share of the council tax bill will increase by three per cent, including a one per cent levy to contribute to adult social care costs.

This equates to a rise of £42.30 a year for a band D house - the lowest rise in recent years.

The council also wants to hear views on its four-year capital plan which will see investment totalling more than £500 million in schools, new dementia care facilities, major road schemes, helping to plant 700,000 trees around the county and measures to reduce carbon emissions.

“We are grateful for all the useful feedback we have received since we launched our budget consultation before Christmas.

“There is still time for anyone who hasn’t yet shared their views with us to do so.

“It’s really important to us to hear what people think because that is the way they can help shape the crucial decisions we will be making about how we use taxpayers’ money.”

The council’s cabinet lead member for resources councillor Lee Breckon

The consultation responses received will be considered by the county council’s cabinet when it meets next month and the budget proposals will be debated at the full council meeting on February 23.

Find out more and have your say by visiting: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/have-your-say/current-engagement/budget-proposals-2022-26