We work hard every day delivering local services for our residents, with our focus also on the future and what this looks like for Buckinghamshire, writes Steven Broadbent leader of Buckinghamshire Council.
We work closely with residents to establish our priorities within the financial constraints, attempting to match our budgets accordingly to the most important projects and services. We want your council to work for you – as that’s exactly what it is – your council, providing your local services, paid for by your taxes.
It’s really important that we hear from our residents every step of the way so they are involved in shaping this future and what Buckinghamshire Council’s priorities should be. To this end, we have just launched a consultation that asks for views on both our budget priorities and this council’s overarching areas of focus that underpin our ‘Corporate Plan’.
We’re looking ahead, not just to the next year, but to the long-term future of Buckinghamshire. Our corporate priorities must reflect the needs of our communities across the county, the ambitions of our businesses, and the challenges we face. That’s why we’re asking residents, businesses, and partners to share their views on what matters most to them.
A key part of our future vision is growing Buckinghamshire’s economy. We’re bringing forward a new Economic Strategy that will set out how we support innovation, attract investment, and create opportunities for all. Later this month, we’ll be co-ordinating a major Economic Summit - bringing together businesses and leaders from across sectors to collaborate on unlocking Buckinghamshire’s full potential. This is such critical work as it paves the way to better skills and education, job creation, a thriving local economy, successful local businesses and more opportunity and prosperity for all our residents.
Our budget planning has, at its heart, a simple but vital principle: delivering value for money for our residents. We know every pound counts, and we’re committed to making sure your council tax is spent wisely and efficiently. We continue to find new ways to innovate, make savings, and deliver services that meet rising demand.
The council’s finances are currently stable but we have made enormous savings due to hard choices and focus on efficiency that are required – we will have reduced our budgets by a massive 52.8% during the first eight years of operation.
The government’s current ‘Fair Funding’ proposals risk reducing Buckinghamshire’s available funds (core spending power) by nearly £43 million over the next three years. This is deeply concerning and unfair to our residents. We are making our case directly to government and will continue to fight for a truly fair funding formula that reflects the real pressures we face, and which does not disadvantage the people of Buckinghamshire.
Even in this uncertain context, your feedback directly impacts our future plans and how they are prioritised, and it matters greatly to me that our residents are able to engage in these important considerations. So please take part in our consultation and help us keep building a strong, fair and prosperous Buckinghamshire.
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