Residents across Newcastle are being asked how they would spend their council’s money in a new campaign aimed to give them a bigger say in the city’s budget.
Newcastle City Council have launched a new version of their People’s Budget that will ask residents how they would allocate a budget of almost £400 million.
Previous budgets had called on participants to choose how they would make savings to the council budget.
But for the first time people will instead be asked how they would want to spend hundreds of millions of pounds.
From setting council tax levels to allocating budgets for social care, waste management and libraries. It is a new challenge aimed at giving power to the city.
Anyone taking part will still have difficult decisions to make. Inflation, rising demand for social care and years of Government cuts means maintaining vital services is difficult.
The City Council is set to consult on their budget in late Autumn but findings from the People’s Budget campaign will support decisions taken by councillors.
A new Liberal Democrat administration was formed in the city following the elections in May and say they will invest “in change people can see through their front window”.
Cllr Mark Mitchell, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council, said they are committed to working differently to ensure the council invests in models that save money long-term.
He said: “Residents care how the council spends money, and about the quality of the services that they receive.
“The People’s Budget is a real chance for everyone in Newcastle to engage in the budget-setting process and to give their view on how the council makes spending decision for next year.
“As the new administration, we don’t just want to talk to you about cuts, services reductions and savings.
“Instead, we want to give you the ability to say where you think council tax and other income of the council should be prioritized and spent.
“Since taking over leadership of the council in May, we have already invested in our city’s parks, youth services, housing repairs and playgrounds.
“We want to deliver even more investment and will be working with residents, businesses, community groups and councillors across the chamber to do just that.” Newcastle City Council revealed that since 2015, it has had to save more than £251million, with tens of millions more needing to be saved in the years to come.
Modest increases in Government funding have not kept up with the pace of inflation, utility prices and the demand for services.
The City Council will look to publish their budget for a statutory consultation in late Autumn, before the final budget is voted on at a meeting of full council in the new year.
Residents will be asked to complete their own People’s Budget over the next four weeks before the campaign ends on October 11, with it taking just a few minutes to complete.
A number of focus groups are expected to take place to support the campaign, with findings included in a report to councillors in October to inform their own budget decisions.
You can take part in the People’s Budget by visiting https://www.letstalkbudget.org.uk/