Let us know your spending priorities for 2024/5 by completing our ‘Together We…’ budget planning survey
We are appealing to residents across Lichfield District to give their views on how the council’s budget should be spent in 2024/5.
We would like every resident to have their say on how available funds are spent and have created an engaging online survey, ‘Together We…Short Term Budget 24/25’, specially designed with a simulator so that it is clear how spending affects services.
By moving the sliders in the survey, a resident can see the impact of altering the level of funding allocated for each service. Applying an increase in the allocation in some service areas will result in a reduction in others, but by completing the survey we will be able to discern where you think spending should be focused.
In 2024/5 we will spend around £13million (£13,368,000) on local services, receiving almost £8million (£7,858,000) in Council Tax to help fund this. The balance (£5,510,000) through business rates, other grants and the New Homes Bonus.
We are among the lowest charging councils in the country this year (2023/4) keeping only 9 per cent of the Council Tax you pay (about £188 a year for the average local home). The rest is passed on to Staffordshire County Council, the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, and local parish councils.
We are, however, facing continued cuts to funding amidst rising costs leading to significant and ongoing challenges in maintaining service levels.
Since 2015/16 we have identified around £3.9million of savings. However, we need to find more and generate additional income as further cuts to our funding streams are likely.
In the survey we are also asking for your views on savings and income ideas.
A spokesperson for Lichfield District Council said:
“Councils across the country are battling rising prices and increasing demands on services.
“We need to make informed decisions about where to focus our spending.
“Last year more than 1,000 Lichfield District residents shared their thoughts and ideas which was vital in helping us shape future spending.
“We want to do the same this year so please complete our survey and let us know your priorities for spending in Lichfield District.“
For more information visit the Budget Consultation 2024/2025 web page.
Take the 2024/5 budget planning survey.