Communities across the area provided feedback on what was important to them and what their priorities were.

And it is that feedback which will provide the basis when it comes to spending the council’s budget for the next financial year, 2022-23.

Everyone now has the opportunity to help ensure the budget priorities are in line with those findings, by taking part in a short survey 

Residents’ views will help shape spending on schools, roads, care homes and many other services.

The council continues to face funding challenges with demand for services continuing to rise.

For the second year in a row the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the pressure on the council budget – and this looks set to continue.

Full details on the budget proposals will be finalised in the New Year. However, Chief Executive of the council, Cleland Sneddon, is asking local businesses and residents to help influence future decisions now, through the initial public consultation.

He said: “We are proud of our record of delivering quality services on behalf of our local communities, while finding new, innovative ways of operating. The challenge, as always, is to continue to do this while still delivering efficiency savings.

“We are now almost two years into the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to respond to it will of course form a significant part of our budget next year, as it did for 2021/22.

“It is vital that everything we deliver continues to reflect the priorities of our local communities.”