City councillors will be holding informal meetings with members of the public during the month of August to get community input on the council’s budget for next year.

People will have an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions via an online survey, which will also be available in paper format at the Information Centre in Fish Row.

The consultation comes after last year's 44 per cent precept increase in February, which culminated in two parish meetings and a parish poll in April that garnered a 3.92 per cent voter turnout at a cost of nearly £40k.

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Six meetings at the Market Place or in the Guildhall have been announced:

  • Saturday, August 5 from 10am to 2pm.
  • Tuesday, August 8 from 10am to 2pm and 5.30pm to 7pm.
  • Tuesday, August 15 from 10am to 2pm and 5.30pm to 7pm.
  • Saturday, August 19 from 10am to 2pm.

A leaflet that is to be distributed across the city erroneously lists the date of the Tuesday, August 15 consultation as Friday, August 18.

Councillor Annie Riddle said: “I hope lots of people will take this opportunity to tell us what is important to them. Budget setting is a complex matter and whatever we do, we can’t please everyone. 

"We’re elected to take decisions and sometimes they are difficult ones.  But we guarantee we will look carefully at what you say, and we won’t know what you think unless you take part.” 

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Councillor Ian Tomes added: “I know from experience that when something is important to local people, they can get their voices heard – make sure your voice is heard if you feel strongly about local services from the city council and where the budget is spent.”

Councillor Eleanor Wills said: “Consultation is a vital way for residents to have their voice heard during the budget setting process.  It has been really encouraging to sit down and work with the group leaders to develop these plans and I look forward to working with them in the future on similar schemes.  It will be great to meet residents this summer.”

Leader of the Lib Dem Group Cllr Victoria Charleston added: “We have committed to ensuring your voice is heard by this Council. Consulting on the budget is just one of the steps we are taking - please do get involved”.

Details of the consultation can be found here.