Survey shows two thirds of Leeds residents agree with budget plans, council claims

As part of the public consultation on the council’s initial budget proposals, set to go before decision-makers next week, the authority asked residents for their views on its proposals, as well as their thoughts on various issues in the city.

The proposed budget includes more than £28m of cuts, as well as a 3.99 per cent increase in council tax.

The report concluded that seven out of 10 respondents agreed with the proposed revenue budget.

It also claimed more than three quarters of residents agreed the council should raise money through increased council tax and charges, while more than a third said they should raise enough to avoid having to cut services at all.

The report claimed only a quarter of respondents believed the council should not raise taxes or charges, even if this had ‘a large impact on services’.

When asked what areas they thought the council should prioritise, respondents suggested the safety of children, tackling crime and dealing with waste disposal were priorities.

One in three residents who made comments with their responses spoke about the authority’s environmental waste management – with half of those referring to new charges for bulky waste disposal, and ‘ a perceived increase in fly tipping’.