The survey comes as 2020 has seen local authorities across Scotland step into vital new roles: administering support grants; distributing food and medicine; supporting home learning; explaining restrictions; providing childcare for key workers; and working with volunteers and communities to keep people safe.

Perth & Kinross Council chief executive, Karen Reid, said: “Councils have a statutory duty to present a balanced budget, and this can mean making difficult decisions about some of the services we deliver across communities. Much of our funding can only be used for very specific purposes, and we face additional pressures from increased demands in areas such as health and social care, welfare support, economic wellbeing, and how we make our area one of the best places for our children to grow up.

“We need our communities to tell us what we should be focussing on, and where you can help co-create and keep services running as part of the PK Offer: our new focus on working together. Everyone has something to offer. So if you think climate change is our major challenge; or believe we should increase charges rather than reducing services; or have an idea for how a voluntary group could take some pressure off council services - please fill in the survey and let us know.”

The consultation survey is open until December 9 and the council will set its budget for 2021/22 in February or March.