Community Engagement in Budget Cuts Consultation: Over 10,000 Responses Received by West Lothian Council West Lothian Council recently conducted a consultation regarding proposed budget cuts, which has garnered an impressive response from the community, exceeding 10,000 submissions. This significant level of engagement underscores the importance of public input in local governance and highlights residents' commitment to shaping the future of their community.
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In a remarkable display of civic engagement, West Lothian Council has received an unprecedented number of responses during its recent budget consultation. This initiative aimed to gather public opinion on necessary financial adjustments for the upcoming years. The council attracted over10,051 responsesand nearly28,400 individual comments.
Such significant involvement underscores the community’s concerns and priorities as the council navigates its financial landscape.
The consultation process lasted for one month, setting new records not just within West Lothian but also compared to neighboring authorities facing similar fiscal challenges.
The council aims to balance its budget in compliance with legal requirements and is keen to incorporate public sentiment into its decision-making.
Unpacking the survey results
According toCarrie Heron, the executive project officer, the consultation results were presented during the Executive’s recent meeting.
The overwhelming majority of responses were collected online, indicating a shift in how residents prefer to engage with local governance. A total of143 community groups, representing more than1,600 individuals, participated in the survey, highlighting the broad base of input from diverse segments of the community.
Key findings from the consultation
Among the critical areas discussed was the potential increase inCouncil Tax. Participants were asked whether they would support a tax hike if the additional funds directly benefitted essential services. Approximately51.79%of respondents expressed agreement with this proposal. However, it is important to note that Council Tax contributes only about19%of the total funding for council services, indicating that this measure alone is unlikely to bridge the financial gap the council is currently facing.
Despite the limited impact of a tax increase, the consultation revealed strong support for exploring more efficient operational methods, with91%of participants endorsing this approach. Additionally, there was a notable preference for generating new income streams, with a59%to41%split in favor of this initiative. Suggestions for reducing council properties and cutting non-statutory services also received positive feedback.
Looking ahead: Financial considerations
As West Lothian Council contemplates these findings, it faces a daunting forecast: a projected budget shortfall of approximately£23 millionover the next two years. This deficit is attributed to rising service costs coupled with insufficient funding, a scenario echoed across many Scottish councils. The majority of council funding—over80%—is derived fromScottish Government grants, while Council Tax constitutes a mere fraction of the
Engagement and outreach efforts
The consultation, namedYour Council, Your Say, aimed to engage the public in discussions about various budget options. Councillors acknowledged the extensive effort put forth by staff in facilitating such a comprehensive consultation. The involvement of students from local schools also received commendation, as it fosters a sense of civic responsibility and awareness among the younger generation.
CouncillorPauline Staffordhighlighted the importance of including young people in these discussions, stating, “There’s a huge amount of work that’s been done here. It’s really good to see how clear and tangible examples were easy to understand.” This sentiment was echoed by others who praised the consultation process as a well-executed initiative that empowers the community.
As the council prepares for a series of meetings to delve deeper into the proposals and public feedback, it is clear that the road ahead will require careful navigation. With the Scottish Government’s budget announcement expected soon, West Lothian Council must remain adaptable and responsive to the evolving financial landscape.
