By Oliver Gibson
The consultation process has begun for Kirklees Council’s budget next year, with residents being asked to have their say ahead of deciding the Budget in 2022.
From now until 13 December, residents of Kirklees are invited to share their thoughts on the Council’s plans and to express which policies matter most to them.
This consultation will help to shape how the Council will invest just over a billion pounds into our local services and infrastructure, so it could not be more important to get involved.
What’s happening
This consultation follows on from ‘Our Council Plan,’ in which the Council outlined its proposals to ‘improve opportunities for everyone in our borough.
It takes the form of an online survey, where residents will be asked the extent to which they agree with the policies outlined in the Council’s proposed budget. More in-depth responses are also encouraged – with the Council explaining that residents will be able to ‘mention anything we might have missed.’
Kirklees Council is also asking participants in its survey to comment on its short-term recovery plan, which focuses on how it is ‘bringing essential services back to full capacity,’ following on from the pandemic.
The Council is also providing a voice to those who do not have access to the internet. Those residents will be able to take part in the survey in their local library, where they will be able to use a computer to comment on the issues that matter to them.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, the Leader of the Council, explained the importance of the consultation process late last month. In a press release, he said: “Residents need to be at the heart of plan, process and delivery if we really want to succeed. So please, let us know what you think.”
Read more: What can we learn from the Labour and Conservative conferences?
How to get involved
Readers can find the link to the consultation survey here.