Hampshire County Council is asking residents to choose the services it values most as it looks to save a further £90 million by 2015.
Despite savings in the county’s budget of £130 million, further cuts need to be made as Hampshire has already lost 43 per cent of its Government grant.
Councillor Perry said: “With less money, fewer staff and increased demand on our services, we can’t afford to deliver them in the same way. The County Council is a complex and big business, covering over 300 different services many of which are absolutely vital. There are some things we have a statutory duty to provide and there are other services which are discretionary.”
“We are genuinely interested in residents’ views – to help us understand what they value most before we make tough decisions on where the money goes. I hope that residents of all ages will take the opportunity to participate and in doing so, help their elected councillors make the right budget decisions.”
Residents can complete an online survey which is online until Friday 29th November whilst paper copies can be found in libraries and other public venues across the county.
The survey is expected to take 10-15 minutes to complete. To take the survey, click here.
Hampshire County Council say all of the survey responses will be analysed and the results will be used to inform published proposals to the County Council’s Cabinet, who will be considering the Budget on 7 February 2014.
The final budget proposals will be decided by the Full County Council on 20 February 2014.
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The only service that they should cut, is the service of outside consultants advising them on how to save money, this would result in more cash being used for better things.
I tried to complete the on line questionnaire, however, half way through there were simply no preferable services I would choose, as the way they have been written deemed negative. eg: would you wait longer for services, would you pay more council tax, no option but to agree to their stupid, questionnaire, so gave up…… as I don’t……..