Budget consultation - still time to have your say

As Dover District Council prepares for the financial challenges of the year ahead, the Council is asking residents about the services they use as part of a key budget consultation - and your views continue to be sought.

The Council has seen cuts in government funding of approximately 29% over the last two years, and further cuts are anticipated over the next few years. Over the last two years, the Council has reduced its budget by £2.5m by a review of staffing levels, efficiencies, sharing services such as revenues and benefits, ICT and customer services with other local authorities, and from efficiency savings. Further savings are now required to balance the budget for the forthcoming year and future years.
 
Council Tax for a typical Band D property in Dover District is currently £1,468.95 per year. Dover District Council receives only £164.43 (11.19%) of this - or £3.16 per week. The rest is split between Kent Council Council £1047.78 (71.33%), Kent Police Authority £138.68 (9.44%), Kent Fire and Rescue Service £67.95 (4.63%), and an average for Town and Parish Councils of £50.11 (3.41%).

In order to inform the budget process, DDC would like to understand which services you have used in the last year, how important our services are to you and how satisfied you are with any services you have used.  All responses will be kept confidential and not used for any other purposes or shared with any other parties.

The deadline for responses is 20 January 2013. For more information, or to have your say, call into any DDC office, or visit the DDC website at www.dover.gov.uk and click on Have Your Say.