COVENTRIANS will have until Wednesday, February 8 or consult with Coventry City Council regarding their budget proposals for 2023/24.
The consultation also asks residents to give their views on a potential council tax rise of just under 3 per cent and an adult social care precept increase of 2 per cent.
The proposed Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept increase would mean the Band D Council Tax from £1,820 to £1,910, before the precept.
People in Coventry typically live in a Band A or Band B property, where the annual increase would be around £80 a year or £1.54 per week, although the rise for those with Council Tax Support would be much less.
In 2022-23, the council will receive over £153million in council tax which will go towards its £749million outlay on local services.
It currently forecasts its income will equal its spending in 2023/24, however, the council currently has a £30million projected deficit for 2024/25, although this could change depending on the outcome of the Government announcements.
Residents can take part in a survey where they can give their views on savings and income ideas, with the council saying its funding streams are unlikely to keep up with the cost of its services.
The council’s cabinet member for strategic finance and resources, Coun Richard Brown said: “From a starting shortfall of £17million these proposals meet our legal obligations to set a balanced budget.
“Since 2010 we have lost almost £1billion of core funding in Coventry.
“Two-thirds of the budget will go on children’s services and adult social care.
“We all know council tax, business rates and adult social care are in dire need of reform but the turmoil of national government has seen these once again kicked down the road, and local authorities have been left to fight inflation on their own.
“We are very mindful of the cost of living pressures ordinary families are facing but we don’t want to cut services to children or adult social care so we have no real choice.”
Visit https://letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/budget-consultation-2023-24/survey_tools/budgetconsultationccc to take a survey on the budget proposals.
