Orkney Islands Council has launched its annual budget survey and is asking residents to share their views as the authority prepares for key decisions in March next year.
The survey, which opened on 2 December, invites the public to give feedback on Council Tax levels and on proposals to increase or introduce specific charges across local services.
The findings will be reported to elected members early in the new year and will play an integral role in shaping the final budget.
Last year’s survey attracted more than 1000 responses and the feedback led directly to changes in the Council chamber, including the removal of some proposals that proved most unpopular with the community.
The Council will set its budget in March after the Scottish Government publishes its own spending plans in January, a timetable that is running a month later than in previous years.
Chief Executive Oliver Reid said:
“We are facing increasing demand for our services, particularly those that meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents.
“This is not a challenge that is unique to Orkney, it is being felt across the public sector in Scotland and the UK.
“The leadership team at the Council has been working hard to support the budget setting process throughout the year, with each service being asked to make the changes required to meet these pressures while minimising any increase in budgets.
“Year on year this becomes more of a challenge.
“This initial survey will give us an indication of the principles and preferences the public would like to be taken account of as the Council makes its final budget decisions.
“There will be subsequent communications that are more tailored to obtain feedback on the detail of specific proposals, and this will include staff consultation where relevant.”
Council Leader Heather Woodbridge said:
“As a Council we are committed to the overall protection of our essential services, to ensure that they are still available to you, your loved ones and some of the most vulnerable folk in our community in the years to come.
“As these are our community’s services it’s important that our community have their say in decisions that affect them.
“We are therefore gathering local views on our proposals as we begin to plan for our budget setting process early next year.
“Please take some time to look at the survey, your views are important.”
The survey remains open until midnight on 11 January and the Council hopes residents will make full use of the chance to shape decisions that will impact services across Orkney.
