MID Devon District Council is encouraging residents and businesses to have their say on the services that are important to them with the launch of a budget setting survey.

The survey is designed to help officers ensure public money is spent in accordance with the priorities of its communities.

The information provided will contribute towards the development of the Council’s 2020-2021 budget which will be finalised during the coming months and will come into effect on April 1, 2020.

Andrew Jarrett, Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Whilst demand for services continues to increase, pressure on funding means the money that we have to pay for these services is reducing.

“Each year the Council has to balance our spending against money available in the form of government grants, council tax and business rates.

“This is always a difficult task and it is important that we focus on our priorities when balancing our budget. We hope you will take the time to help us set our forthcoming budget and have an input into the process.”

The Council says it is continuing to look at opportunities to reduce operational costs without immediately reducing service levels.

However, it adds that it remains a possibility that some difficult decisions will have to be made relating to what the Council can and can’t afford to deliver/support in the future.

It says that in order to have money to spend on services each year the Council must either tax residents or increase fees for the services it provides.

The consultation, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, will remain open until Friday, December 6.

Complete the survey online at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/budgetsetting .

Hard copies of the survey are available from the reception at Phoenix House, Tiverton.

Anyone who wishes to receive a copy of the questionnaire and is unable to access it online, or from MDDC’s main office, can contact Customer First on 01884 255255.