LOCAL residents, organisations and businesses are being asked to have their say on Cambridge City Council’s proposals for setting its budget for 2023-24.

People can comment on the draft proposals for the next financial year during the public consultation which runs from Monday 12 December until noon on Tuesday 10 January 2023.

The council’s draft General Fund Budget Setting Report, sets out how the council will continue to work towards its vision of ‘One Cambridge – Fair for All’ by supporting residents and continuing to provide quality services in the midst of major financial challenges. You can read more about the draft Budget Setting Report in this recent council news release.

By taking part in the online consultation respondents will have the chance to indicate which council services they would prioritise over the coming years – during which the council needs to find £11.5m in savings – and what they think of the budget proposals.

Cllr Mike Davey, Executive Councillor for Finance, Resources and Transformation, said: “The economic situation facing the council is serious and challenging, so we want as many people as possible to take part in our consultation to let us know which services they value the most.

“This will help us immensely with making some decisions on how we should do thing differently and where we could make essential savings. Taking part is simple so please register at www.cambridge.gov.uk/consultations and tell us what you think of our initial proposals.” 

Responses received in the consultation will be summarised and reported to councillors in January 2023 to inform the council's thinking on its budget choices and service priorities. The draft budget will be discussed at the council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting on 30 January 2023 and at a meeting of the council’s Executive on 9 February 2023. The budget will then be discussed and decided at a meeting of the full Council on 23 February 2023.