Kirklees Council to hear public’s views on budget proposals

More than 500 people took part in the six-week budget consultation in November and December, and their feedback will be reported at the meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall.

It found that 73 per cent of people agreed running public toilets should be handed over to local businesses or groups, and those which were not transferred would close.

A further 71 per cent backed plans to reduce spending on governance and civic activities, while just 24 per cent agreed that spending on road maintenance should be cut.

Over half agreed that spending on ‘back office’ internal support for the running of the council should be reduced, but plans to charge for residential car parking permits received a mixed response.

Council leader Mehboob Khan said: “The proposals and the feedback on them will go to full council for an informed debate. We make it no secret that the future is going to be tough and we have already used resources to balance the cuts this year whilst trying to plan services for the next three years.

“I would like to thank everyone who has taken part and we need to know what people would like to be protected although we are unable to make any promises as we are in a period of financial constraints.”

The council’s formal budget proposals will go before February’s full council meeting.