Time running out to have your say

Residents, businesses and organisations in North East Lincolnshire have a final chance to give their views on the Council’s budget proposals for the next financial year.

An online consultation launched last month and inviting people to have their say on issues and activities important to them in the local area has already had more than 330 responses.

But Cllr Stan Shreeve, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Finance and Resources, is hoping even more people take the opportunity to contribute before the January 29^th closing date.

“We’re really pleased with the response so far, which is already up on last year, but I’d very much like to see us get even more input from the community and businesse,’’ he explained.

“It’s been a hugely difficult year, not only for the our residents and businesses, but for the Council itself and the economic impact will be felt for some years to come.

“Local government budget decisions we make can affect you and your community, so it’s important that you give us your views- the problems we and other local authorities face aren’t going to simply disappear, but while it’s a very challenging situation, we’re determined to make sure essential services are delivered.

“We’re to working to minimise the impact on residents by finding new ways to support the borough, including working with the community on key issues and problems, enabling us to deliver the most efficient and effective services we can to the communities that need them.”

Council tax is only one of the authority’s main funding sources, the other two being business rates and grants from central government, both of which have been impacted by the Covid pandemic.

Cllr Shreeve added: “With the ever increasing demands it’s vital that we try and balance the delivery of services that affect everyone with those activities that are governed by statute- issue such as bins, litter and roads affect everyone who lives and works here and these are our key focus, along with children’s and adult services.’’

“We want North East Lincolnshire to be a place where people enjoy living, businesses thrive and visitors want to come see what a great place we have here.’’

To take part in the consultation, which runs until January 29^th 2021, please click onto:  www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say