By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Mansfield District Council will ask residents what their priorities are for the area as it plans cuts and savings to bridge a £4.5m budget gap between now and 2027.
The Labour-run authority has confirmed the major shortfall in its finances following pressures including inflation and fuel costs.
It says it has been able to “successfully manage” its books despite uncertainties over Government funding.
The council had planned a council tax rise for the current financial year amid a £1.9m black hole before receiving higher-than-expected Government help.
However, it says uncertainties over when inflation will ease, increasing interest rates, rising wages and high energy, fuel and material costs, are causing a strain.
This is on top of increased demand for its service due to the cost of living crisis which has meant the authority needs to “target and prioritise” its finances.
It expects at least £4.5m must be found across the next four annual budgets to balance its books, working out at about £1.125m per year from now until 2027.
And now it plans to launch a consultation asking residents about their priorities so it can begin to plan cuts or savings.
If approved during a delegated decision on Thursday (September 7), the consultation would run for three weeks from Friday, September 15.
It would then be used to shape the council’s budget for the 2024/25 financial year, which is currently being drawn up and will be approved in January.
In a report, Helen Sisson, the council’s marketing and communications manager, said: “In the current [climate] … the council must target and prioritise its finances.
“Between now and 2027, Mansfield District Council must find savings of at least £4.5m to achieve a balanced budget and deliver our financial commitments.
“The council’s budget is being managed within extremely challenging circumstances.
“The consultation will provide more information on how the council is funded, how it spends money on services and suggest ways in which we can meet the budget gap by 2027.
“In making the changes to service provision the council will be in a stronger and more viable position for the future.”
Cllr Craig Whitby (Lab), the authority’s deputy mayor and portfolio holder for corporate and finance, will be asked to approve the consultation on Thursday.
Once approved, the authority says surveys will be available on its website while paper copies and alternative formats are available on request.
In the survey, residents will be asked to prioritise services and give their views on how acceptable they feel potential service cuts would be.
The authority’s overview and scrutiny corporate resources committee will be presented with the results at its November meeting.
