Herefordshire Council has launched the 2019/20 budget consultation. Residents, businesses, parish councils and partners will be asked about proposals which will enable the council to deliver a balanced budget in 2019/20, while ensuring it continues to invest in and deliver services to meet the following priorities:

• Enable residents to live safe, healthy and independent lives

• Keep children and young people safe and give them a great start in life

• Support the growth of our economy

• Secure better services, quality of life and value for money

Budget proposals for 2019/20 have been drafted as Herefordshire Council continues to face significant financial pressure, with central government funding almost eliminated by 2020. Council Tax and business rates currently meet around 40% of the council’s annual costs and fund many services across the county, from waste collection and road maintenance to looking after vulnerable children and adults.

The consultation will ask for views on a variety of proposals, such as whether the council should increase borrowing to enable more investment across the county, and a suggested 4.9% increase to next year’s Council Tax (meaning a total 2.9% increase to core Council Tax and a 2% adult social care precept).

The consultation will run until Friday, September 21st – allowing plenty of time for residents and businesses to have their say on how the council should budget for 2019/20.

The survey is quick to complete at herefordshire.gov.uk/budgetconsultation

Questions, ideas and comments about the new budget can also be emailed to [email protected], shared on Facebook and Twitter at #hfdsbudget or by contacting your local councillor or parish council.