Budgetary process

Each year the council plans its spending for the following year.

The council's financial year runs from April to the following March. Each year the council goes through a process to discuss and then agree the budget for the next financial year.

There is a Full Council meeting (usually in November) where the budget is raised as an issue. All Councillors of all political groups are invited to submit ideas, plans and suggestions for inclusion in the next year's budget. These suggestions are then taken away and discussed by the Executive (usually in December).

The Executive will then issue their proposals for the budget.

At the same time Scrutiny's Budget Panel is sitting and they also come up with their proposals by February. The report is considered by the Executive and, if required, changes are made to the proposals.

Finally, the proposals go to another Full Council meeting where they are voted on, and, whatever is agreed, is implemented as the council's budget for the next year.

If you would like to ask a question or make any comments about the budget consultation process, or if you would like to find out about the consultation conducted last year, please contact us.