With Covid-19 having highlighted how future priorities might change, East Renfrewshire Council said digital connectivity is now even more important to enable businesses and communities to remain connected while physically distanced.

More people are also in need of support from the council’s welfare and other frontline services as a result of the pandemic.

The budget consultation - which will run for seven weeks - gives residents the chance to have their say on how the council should refocus its efforts to best support the people of East Renfrewshire.

Six key areas have been outlined within the survey, and the feedback received will be crucial in shaping future decisions on how best to utilise the cCouncil’s resources.

Council leader Tony Buchanan said: “The past 18 months have been incredibly challenging for all and there is a need to refocus on our priorities to ensure our services to residents have the most benefit. We continue to face a difficult financial position and that means that savings may have to be found. We will need to consider how to deliver services in a different way to ensure we are still supporting our communities in the best way possible.

“We want to help communities to look after themselves more and target our limited resources where they are most needed. We know that Covid recovery, climate change, living locally, providing support for vulnerable groups including young people and the elderly, providing digital council services, and tackling the funding challenge are all going to form an important part of our budget planning.

“So we want to hear your views on each of these important areas to help us prioritise where the council should focus our resources. I urge as many residents as possible to complete the survey and tell us what is important to you and your community. Your feedback on these and other issues will help us to set out priorities and balance the budget for 2022/23 and beyond.”

The budget consultation opened on October 25 and closes on December 12.