What would you cut to save £2million if you were a council leader?

Tendring Council, which has to save £4million over two years following Government cuts, is asking residents to have their say on how money is spent.

Tom Howard, cabinet member for finance, is urging residents to take part in an interactive feature on its website called YouChoose that lets residents choose how it would spend money - and where they would save it.

Mr Howard said: “Initial estimates mean that we are looking at possible further savings of up to £7.8 million in the future,” he said.

“This is because we face on-going reductions in Government funding.”

“Some difficult decisions will inevitably have to be made – and it is important that we know not only where residents want their money spent and what is most important to them, but also where they are prepared to see reductions in current spending. 

“It is a matter of prioritisation, and the harsh reality is that less money has to be spent in some areas and YouChooseE also provides the chance for residents to indicate where they would prefer to see those savings focussed.”

“This really is their chance to take part in the process and I urge them to take it.”

Tendring Council said it is the sixth year running that it has asked residents to help influence the budget for the coming financial year.

Responses in the past have helped shape the annual budget with a number of actions taken by the council directly due to feedback from residents.

YouChoose allows residents to adjust the council’s spending – and they can immediately see what impact it would have on the budget before they make their final choice of how cash is allocated.

This year the computer model starts with a £2.229 million deficit for 2016/17. Residents will need to reduce this to zero - or have a council tax increase of no more than two per cent.

The exercise costs the council nothing as the programme has been made available free of charge by YouGov and the Local Government Association.

“I can assure the residents of Tendring that it is not easy to balance the books while still providing all the various services we expect and enjoy,” added Mr Howard.

“However, knowing people’s priorities will help to concentrate our minds.”

To take part click on the YouChoose logo on the council’s website at tendringdc.gov.uk.