The council wants to hear people's views on spending priorities for 2016/2017 as it continues to make savings due to cuts in Central Government funding.
Cuts of £150 million have already been made over the past 5 years and the council estimates that it will need to save at least an additional £46 million over the next 3 years based on current information. £24 million of these savings need to be made in 2016/2017.
Wolverhampton residents are being urged to have their say on where they think resources should be focussed and can do so easily by completing a short survey online via Type=articles;Articleid=7848;Title=Budget consultation 2016-2017;.
Anyone who completes the survey before 12pm on 18 December will be entered into a prize draw to win a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) to see Peter Pan courtesy of the Grand Theatre.
A series of public meetings around the city have also been organised where Councillor Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for resources and Mark Taylor, director of finance, will explain the council's financial position and talk through the proposed cuts.
The meetings will also be an opportunity for people without internet access to complete the budget consultation and enter the panto prize draw.
The meetings take place as follows:
- Low Hill Community Centre, Kepthorne Avenue , Wednesday 25t November at 6pm
- The Bob Jones Community Hub, Bromley Street , Blakenhall, Thursday 3 December at 6pm
- Bantock Park Tractor Shed, Tuesday 8 December at 6pm
- Bilston Town Hall , Church Street , Thursday 10 December at 6pm
Councillor Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for resources, said: "Central Government is continuing to make huge cuts to our budget. We've already had to pass on cuts of £150 million over recent years and we predict we will need to find at least an additional £46 million more of savings.
"£24 million of those cuts need to be found in 2016/2017, so now more than ever it is really important that Wolverhampton residents have their say and tell us where you think resources should be focused.
"We are extremely grateful to the Grand Theatre for donating a family ticket to the panto which anyone who completes our budget survey before 12pm on 18 December will be eligible to win."
The results of the budget consultation will be considered by the council's Cabinet before it recommends a final budget for 2016/2017 in spring which will be voted on by all city councillors.
- released: Monday 23 November, 2015