Bucks County Council Budget Setting

The time for planning next year's budgets and council tax levels has once again come around and, as in previous years, South Bucks District Council is asking YOU to help us and Bucks CC decide what our spending priorities should be for next year.  The Council's aim is to spend every pound as wisely as possible,so the public's views are vital in helping identify priority concerns.

This year's budget setting for the District and County Council will be tougher than ever as the councils feel the effect of increased energy costs and the down turn in the economy.  Government requires councils to achieve minimum savings of 3% every year, and has capped the increase in its grant to local authorities at below inflation, and has indicated it does not expect council tax increases to exceed 5%.

Bucks CC which accounts for around 70% of the total council tax bill has commenced consultation around its services (e.g. education, social services,highways, trading standards) which will run until the end of October.  Details of this consultation can be found on the Bucks CC website, Buckinghamshire County Council Budget Consultation (external link).

As a result of last year's consultation the Bucks CC increased its investment in highways maintenance by over £3m.

South Bucks DC only accounts for 10% of the council tax bill, but this does cover the costs of a number of key services for residents (e.g. waste collection, planning and building control, housing benefits service).  Last year's consultation by South Bucks supported the inclusion in the budget of funding for work to support conservation areas in the District and towards reducing the Council's carbon footprint.  

At this stage in its budget process, South Bucks DC would welcome comments and views about what its priorities should be, and these are described in the South Bucks Annual Report which can be found on the South Bucks DC website.

Residents can make their views known on South Bucks DC spending priorities by emailing haveyoursay@southbucks.gov.uk