S5 Higher Maths pupils from Wester Hailes Education Centre recently took part in the Edinburgh budget challenge to try and balance the Council’s budget using an online planner. The interactive tool lets you save or spend money on services across the Council and explains what the results of those changes could be.
When asked whether taking part in the planner was useful, Stephanie, 16 said:
You can show numbers but it doesn’t mean anything. The planner makes it more realistic.
The planner is just one way that people of all ages can have their say on how the Council invests and saves money over the next three years.
This is an opportunity to give your views on changes which may affect you and your family. You have until the 19 December 2014 to give your views. The Council will consider your feedback when it makes its final budget decisions on 12 February 2015.
The Council has some difficult budget choices ahead and this public engagement gives you the chance to get involved. More people than ever need our services, the cost of providing these services is increasing and yet our income remains about the same. We will explore ways to increase our income, but it is clear that we have to save £67 million from across our services over the next three years.
There is now less than two weeks left to have your say – take the opportunity and tell us your views. Visit the Council website to watch our short animated film about the budget and take part in the online budget planner. You can also email your views to councilbudget@edinburgh.gov.uk
