Newtown residents are being reminded that they have just over a week left to take part in a budget balancing exercise that will help decide how Powys County Council reduces its spending by £27m.
The council has been running an online consultation exercise since September which will end on November 30.
The exercise, which sets out a range of proposals that could be used to generate savings over the next three financial years, has attracted more than 300 visits.
And to help residents who are not confident taking part in an online process, the council is providing additional consultation staff support at libraries in the final week.
Council leader, Councillor Barry Thomas said; “Over 700 people have visited the online simulator but only half have submitted a final budget and we’d really like more people to take part. Residents can take over the Powys purse strings and increase or decrease funding on a range of services. Each time they do so they will see the consequences before submitting their final budget.
“Information collected as part of the exercise will be considered by the cabinet as part of the budget making decisions which is going to be a very difficult process this year.”
Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Wynne Jones added: “The council has to produce a balanced budget so cannot set a deficit, so when residents are supporting one service with more money they have to balance the decision with a reduction from another area.
“The simulator gives immediate feedback showing the impact of a decision on the overall budget and gives information about the consequences of the funding change on a service.
“It is a different style of exercise for residents to try and we have made arrangements for libraries and their staff to those who do not have access to the Internet or don’t feel confident in using an online model.
“During the last week of the month we will have additional staff at libraries to help people complete the budget exercise.”
The budget simulator can be found on the council’s website under the “Consultation” section. Additional consultation staff will be available at the following libraries:
Monday, 23rd November
Llanidloes 1pm-2.30pm
Tuesday, 24th November
Montgomery -– 10.30am-12noon
Welshpool – 1.30pm – 3pm
Newtown – 4.30pm-6pm
Thursday 26th November
Llanfyllin – 2pm-3.30pm
Llanfair Caereinion – 5pm-6.30pm
