CRAVEN District Council is seeking people’s views as it begins the process of setting its revenue budget for the coming financial year.

The council provides a range of services including bin collections, housing and homelessness services, licensing and planning services, environmental health, cleaner neighbourhoods, benefits, and bereavement services. The authority also runs Skipton Town Hall, Craven Leisure, owns and manages Aireville Park and works to support a number of community groups, businesses and services.

With continued reductions in Government funding, the council faces significant challenges in balancing its budget, and needs to save a further £764,000 from its revenue budget by 2022/2023. At least £408,000 will need to be saved in 2020/21.

Council leader, Councillor Richard Foster, said: “For just over £3 per week, per household, we provide a vast range of services to residents here in Craven.

“We collect your bins, clean your streets, support economic growth in the district, help local community groups and businesses, develop affordable housing, provide excellent leisure and arts facilities, and much, much more.

“In the last year, we’ve completed the development of an amazing new children’s playground in Aireville Park, and started our £5 million Skipton Employment and Housing Growth Project. We’ve started our £4.5 million transformation of Skipton Town Hall. We’re supporting a £2 million project to upgrade canal towpaths through Craven. We’ve created a Joint Venture Company to deliver regeneration and development in the district. We are achieving all this whilst acting to reduce our impact on the environment.

“Setting a balanced budget is always a challenge but we are determined to continue to provide excellent services for our residents. As in previous years, we have some difficult decisions to make, as the Government has cut our Revenue Support Grant to zero from 2020/21.

“So we need to hear from our residents – we want your views on how we spend your money, and how we could make savings. We want to understand your top priorities, and what you want from your council in the future.”

The budget consultation begins on Wednesday October 23 and will run for six weeks, until Wednesday December 4. To find out more go to the council’s website: cravendc.gov.uk/yourmoneyyoursay, or telephone 01756 700600 or email budget@cravendc.gov.uk

Hard copies of the budget consultation document can also be picked up from the council offices in Belle Vue Square, Skipton, and from libraries.