There's still time to have your say on county council's budget and services

People living in the High Peak are being urged to give their views on Derbyshire County Council's budget and services in a wide-ranging online survey - but time is running out to do so. 

The council's 'Your Council Your Voice' survey gives residents the opportunity to tell the authority what they think about the services they use, how satisfied they are with them and which ones are most important to them and why.

It's open until Sunday 13 December and you can take part here: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/yourvoice2020 

This year, the survey also asks residents whether the Covid-19 pandemic has changed their opinion of the county council and the services it provides, and if it has had an impact on their satisfaction with the way the authority runs things.

Divided into sections, the survey asks residents how satisfied they are with where they live, if they are proud of Derbyshire and if they think it is a safe place to live.

People are also asked if they are involved in any organisations or groups, whether they offer help and support to others as a volunteer and if they feel supported and know where to get advice and support.

The survey includes the council’s annual budget consultation, with questions about how the authority should prioritise its budget for 2021/22. 

People are asked to list their top and bottom three priorities from a list of services the council provides, with an opportunity to give additional information about why they have ranked services as high or low priority.

They are also asked to look at a range of options the council could consider in order to save money or raise additional revenue and to rank them in order of preference. The options include reducing or stopping less important services and putting more services online to increasing council tax or using council assets to win business from the private sector. People are also able to add their own suggestions.

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “It’s more important than ever that we know if Derbyshire residents think we’re getting it right, what changes they’d like to see and whether their priorities have changed from last year.

“We are also keen to know if people are volunteering in their communities, whether people feel supported and know where to go for advice or help in a crisis and if their opinions of the services we provide have changed as a result of the pandemic.”

Papers copies of the survey are available on request by ringing Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190.

People taking part have the chance to win £100 of shopping vouchers in a prize draw.

The county council insist that no decisions about its budget have been made and the Cabinet will consider survey responses - along with budget proposals - at a meeting in early 2021. 

The authority adds that all Derbyshire residents will be given the chance to have their say about individual proposals which may affect them after decisions have been made about the overall budget. Responses relating to non-budget issues in the survey will be used to help shape and improve council services in the year ahead.