Mansfield District Council is asking residents to have their say on what services matter to them, as it seeks to set a balanced budget in the face of a cost-of-living emergency and growing demands.
All local authorities are dealing with large increases in inflation that are driving up costs and prices for energy, fuel, materials, and staff costs. The council estimates a significant funding shortfall of more than £4.5m by the end of March 2026.
To bridge this gap, the council has no other option than to radically review the way in which it delivers services, and only deliver what is truly necessary. Before making any changes, it has opened the consultation today (15 September) to hear first-hand from residents, businesses and stakeholders what services are important to them.
This is so the council can prioritise those services that the public value with what is financially viable.
Adam Hill, Chief Executive Officer at Mansfield District Council, said: “We know households across the district are facing huge financial challenges. Rising prices makes this a cost-of-living emergency. Mansfield District Council is also facing its most difficult budget pressures for many years.
“Across our Medium-Term Financial Strategy, 2024 – 2027, we have an anticipated shortfall of over £4.5m. Due to various uncertainties, this could be much higher, and we need to plan for that situation. We must prioritise our services and focus on delivering what is needed. In order to get this right, we need to know what is important to the residents that we serve.
“Over the next three weeks, we are asking for residents’ feedback through an online consultation. In the consultation, we will be asking our community what changes and reductions in services are reasonable to them and ensure that they understand what those changes to services mean on the ground.
“No decision to reduce, stop or change a service is easy, but we must do this to ensure that the council is in a stronger position for the future. “I would encourage as many of you as possible to fill this survey in and share your views. The more we find out about what matters to you, the more we can understand the impact any changes will have on services.”
Consultation feedback will be used throughout the budget setting process, which will go through the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Corporate) in the autumn, followed by approval by Full Council in early 2024.
Executive Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, added: “In the past, we have continuously made efficiencies to deliver statutory services such as collecting refuse, keeping our streets clean and maintaining our housing stock and parks.
“We have used your Council Tax to subsidise all our discretionary services. These are the services that we choose to deliver for our community alongside our statutory duty for housing, finance, and street cleansing. These include the events in the town centre and across the district; the Palace Theatre, the Museum, arts and education, the market and supporting our businesses and volunteers in the community.
“Unfortunately, with a three-year budget deficit of £4.5m which has the potential to increase, it is no longer feasible for the council to continue all these discretionary services.
“These are very difficult decisions, and we have some tough choices to make on our running costs in the medium term. We hope all the inward investment we have attracted will regenerate our town and district, and we will come out the other side fitter with a bright future ahead.”
Residents can have their say on the council’s proposals between 15 September to 6 October by visiting – www.mansfield.gov.uk/budgetconsultation (opens in new window).