Have your say on ‘Serving Hampshire – Balancing the Budget’ Consultation deadline 18th July 2021
Hampshire County Council is seeking residents’ views through its ‘Serving Hampshire Balancing the Budget consultation is open from Monday 7 June 2021 to 11:59pm on Sunday 18 July 2021.
The documents and survey can be found at the following link:
https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/balancing-the-budget
Local authorities are required by law to deliver a balanced budget – which means they cannot spend more than is available.
However, growing demand for local services, particularly social care, and the absence of multi-year funding from the Government means that Hampshire County Council continues to face a total budget shortfall of at least £80 million over the next two years (2022/23 and 2023/24).
It would like to hear your views on several high-level options that could contribute towards balancing the County Council’s revenue budget. This might involve:
- introducing and increasing charges for some services;
- lobbying central Government for legislative changes;
- generating additional income;
- using the County Council’s reserves;
- reducing and changing services;
- increasing Council Tax;
- changing local government arrangements in Hampshire
It also welcomes other suggestions that could help meet the budget shortfall and any information to help us understand the potential impacts of these options.
Your feedback will help to inform the approach that the County Council takes to balance its budget through to 2023/24.
Any changes to specific services will be subject to further, more detailed consultation.