PEOPLE with something to say on issues affecting the district both large and small are being asked to sign up for a Craven District Council feedback panel.

Members of the panel will be contacted from time to time and asked their opinion on a range of subjects such as the environment, the council budget, planning, local amenities, and waste collections - changes to which are currently affecting many households in Skipton.

Panel members might be asked by the council to fill in a survey, or take part in a focus group, but there will be no obligation to respond on every issue.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council, said: “Residents’ views are very important to us and we do listen to them.

“In the past few years, residents have helped shape the future of Aireville Park, contributed to changes in household recycling, and helped us develop plans for housing and business development in the district.”

He added: “Their views will help us provide services which residents really want and need.”

The council is currently carrying out a consultation on its revenue (spending) budget for the next financial year - 2020/21 - and Mr Shevlin says it wants to hear about residents’ priorities as it moves forward and decides where money should be spent.

The council provides a range of services to residents including bin collections, housing and homelessness services, licensing and planning services, environmental health, cleaner neighbourhoods, benefits, and bereavement services.

It also runs Skipton Town Hall and Craven Leisure, owns and manages Aireville Park, and works to support a range of community groups, local businesses and services across the district.

The council says with continued reductions in Government funding, it, along with all other local authorities, faces significant challenges in balancing its budget.

Craven needs to save a further £764,000 from its revenue budget by 2022/2023, with at least £408,000 saved in the next financial year.

The budget consultation began on October 23 and will run for six weeks, until Wednesday December 4. To take part in the budget consultation, go to the council’s website: cravendc.gov.uk/yourmoneyyoursay, where people can also find out more about the budget, the challenges faced by the council, and how to have their say.

To sign up and become a member of the Residents’ Feedback Panel, go to the council’s website at : cravendc.gov.uk/feedback