City of York Council is reminding residents and businesses that they have until Sunday 31 January to have their say on this year’s council budget.

There’s still time to get involved in setting the authority’s 2021/22 budget this month. 

This year, there have been a number of different ways to get involved – which residents still have time to do.

  • Complete the online survey which closes on Sunday 31 January online
  • Complete the paper survey in Your Local Link, which was distributed to all York households from 15 December. Please send this back to the FREEPOST address provided by Sunday 31 January.

If anyone missed the virtual meetings, these can be watched back again.

The 2021/22 draft budget proposals will be considered by the virtual decision making sessions, in advance of the council executive on Thursday 11 February.  The budget will then be debated by Full Council on Thursday 25 February at 6pm.

For more information, please visit our website.

City of York Council published its draft budget proposals for the next financial year (2021/22) earlier this month, putting forward a new plan to stabilise the authority’s financial position, given the unprecedented financial challenges caused by the pandemic, and continuing investment in frontline services, social care, and to build back better.

Over the last year, demand for council services has increased, and at the same time, income has significantly fallen as a result of the pandemic.  Despite some additional funding from the Government, York still faces a significant budget gap of over £15 million next year. 

The Government previously announced increased ‘spending power’ for local authorities in the recent Spending Review, however on review of the detail, this is not new funding and is instead funded by council’s power to raise money through Council Tax and the Adult Social Care precept. 

Recognising the current economic challenges and support needed for local residents, the council is proposing to increase total spending by £2.6 million on adult social care and support for children and young people, whilst investing additional resources to protect frontline services and to accelerate the city’s economic recovery. 

To maintain financial stability in the absence of sufficient Government funding, the council is proposing to deliver savings and efficiencies totalling £7.9 million, in order to ensure that crucial council services can be maintained in the difficult year ahead.

Since the pandemic began, the council has stepped up to support local communities by focusing resource and investing in measures to build back better.  To date, the Council has processed over £110 million of financial support to local businesses, including an additional £1 million to create a local emergency fund for small businesses who did not receive Government support.  The council has also secured £1.43m to develop active travel measures to encourage sustainable modes of travel, with a further £600k invested by the council to deliver new cycling measures and cycle routes across the city.

To continue this work to build back better, the 2021/22 budget proposes a £3.5 million Covid Recovery Fund, so that the council can continue to fund vital services for local residents and businesses. Recognising that the challenges of Coronavirus will continue well into 2021, this fund will include:

  • £200k to support Covid-19 recovery efforts in local communities across the city;
  • £80k will be invested to give residents cheaper Minster Parking Badges as part of our efforts to mitigate the impact on the local economy;
  • £40k to provide sustainable travel incentives to support recovery and build back confidence in public transport;
  • £50k will be used to assist households via the York Financial Assistance Fund, helping residents on the lowest incomes mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic;
  • £50k to extend existing projects that support carers most affected by the pandemic to access resources and support, particularly for carers and individuals with a diagnosis of dementia;
  • £100k to work with the local Voluntary Sector to provide additional low level Mental Health Support recognising the impact the pandemic has had on emotional wellbeing with the aim of reducing the need for NHS services;
  • £40k to support business during recovery including grants, information and networking;
  • £40k for promoting the benefits of business membership organisations, such as the FSB or Chamber of Commerce;
  • £50k will fund support for skills development and re-training programmes, including support for new green jobs.

The council will also continue its £600m capital investment programme to accelerate the city’s economic recovery, whilst continuing to support local residents, businesses and communities.  Under the proposals, the council’s Capital Programme will drive regeneration, including:

  • £154million to progress York Central
  • £52 million to improve roads and the city’s infrastructure
  • £19 million to progress regenerations schemes, including Castle Gateway and the Guildhall
  • £64 million to progress the York Outer Ring Road
  • £132 million to deliver more housing across the city, including affordable housing
  • £12 million on initiatives to tackle climate change

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of the Council, said:

We really want to hear your views on our budget proposals. The impact of the pandemic, compounded by the Government failing to give council’s what we need to respond to the crisis, has meant that like many other local authorities, in particular with social care responsibilities, we are facing tough decisions in our upcoming budget.

“In light of the unprecedented challenges we face, the council must stabilise its own financial position, so it can continue to provide crucial services to our local communities, services which have been so relied upon during this difficult time.  That is why we are proposing a number of back office efficiencies and savings, which enables us to increase spending by £2.6 million on adult social care, support for children and young people, as well as continue to protect frontline services and accelerate our economic recovery.

“With the challenge of Coronavirus expected to continue well into 2021, we have also proposed £3.5 million to create a new Covid Recovery Fund for the city, including £150K to support carers and those struggling with their mental health in these difficult times, £80K to provide businesses with more support, £40k to help get people back onto public transport and £80K to offer residents discounted Minster Badges to encourage residents to continue to support our local businesses.”

“At this time, these are draft proposals, and with our budget consultation still ongoing, I would encourage everyone to get involved and have their say on these proposals, in what will be an important budget for the city.”

Councillor Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader of the Council, said:

Since the very beginning of this pandemic, the council has worked around the clock to provide critical support to those who need it most, while demand for our services has increased, and income has dramatically fallen. Now we must face these difficult financial challenges, so we can continue York’s efforts to build back better and continue to deliver important services to our local communities.

“Despite the huge financial challenges we face, this year’s budget proposals continue our previous investments in initiatives to tackle climate change, maintain the city’s road network and sustainable travel infrastructure and deliver on our significant active travel programme.

“Last year, hundreds of residents and businesses took part in the budget consultation and their contribution was extremely useful. I would urge everyone to once again to view our proposals and tell us what they think should be prioritised in our next council budget.”