RESIDENTS could be offered the chance to run community buildings as a sport and leisure hub or manage an open space.

These are two of the suggestions mooted by senior councillors as BCP Council launched a survey on the 2023/24 budget proposals.

The local authority said it wants to work with residents, businesses and the charity and voluntary sectors to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and prepare for a “sustainable financial future”.

The survey launched online on Friday, November 18, with views sought on which services residents and stakeholders felt were most important and for ideas on how communities can work more closely together.

Feedback from the consultation will contribute to the ongoing work to prioritise proposals for next year’s budget setting due to take place in February 2023, the council said.

Councillor Jane Kelly, Lead Member for Communities, said: “Just as we all pulled together in the pandemic we need to come together to tackle the financial pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis.

“As we look to options to deliver our most important services differently, we want to work together more strongly with our communities to take advantage of the positive things that already exist within our local towns. This will enable people to do more and help each other to manage these difficult times.

“You might be interested in running a community building as a hub for sports and leisure, managing an open space for local people, or hosting an event for children, young people and families. We want to work with you to make your projects and ideas, and many more, a reality so please do get in touch.”

As reported, BCP Council leaders have provided initial details on how a balanced budget in 2023/24 will be delivered.

To achieve this the local authority needs to make £42.6million of “savings and efficiencies”, which is approximately 16 per cent of the council’s £272million net revenue expenditure.

Details on how these savings will be achieved have not yet been released.

The financial pressure in part has come through the cost-of-living crisis, which is forecast to add an extra £55million to the cost of running BCP Council in the current financial year and next.

Cllr Drew Mellor, leader of BCP Council, said: “Barely a day goes by without news of the challenges councils around the country are facing with some looking to cut council services. We are tackling this head on by exploring ways to deliver services differently with communities and other stakeholders.

“This means preparing for changes, and that involves us talking to people now about how we could deliver services in a different way. But we cannot do this alone and it’s important we work together with those who use our services – that’s you.

“It’s also important we maintain our ambitions as a place, whilst we continue to be the safety net for those who need us the most.”

People have until December 23 to complete the survey and submit their ideas by visiting haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/budget.

Hard copies are also available at local libraries. Council staff will be available to discuss the survey with residents and help anyone requiring support at three drop-in events:

  • Monday, December 5 – Bournemouth Library, 2pm – 5pm
  • Thursday, December 8 – Christchurch Library, 10am – 1pm
  • Friday, December 9 – Poole Library, 10am – 1pm