West Dunbartonshire Council’s administration has prepared a draft budget for consultation with communities from a list of savings options identified by council officers to help address the difference between the funding the council receives, and the cost of providing its services to the public.

The online consultation, which runs until January 31, provides residents, council staff and other stakeholders the opportunity to provide their views on the administration’s budget and the alternative savings options.

The results of the consultation will be presented to council and help inform councillors when they meet to set the council’s budget for 2018/19 in March.

Council leader Jonathan McColl said: “Our communities are at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. It is vital that residents take part in this consultation and give us their views on the options being proposed. We are legally bound to set a balanced budget come March, but I want to reiterate that the budget consultation is based on the worst case scenario. We do not want to make savings and we will continue to do everything we can to improve the funding which our council receives to deliver your services next year and beyond.”

Councillor Ian Dickson, convener of corporate services, added: “The council’s resources are reducing at the same time as the cost of providing much-valued services is increasing. That means we need to prioritise and make the best possible use of the funds we have. We’re committed to developing new ways of generating income and delivering services innovatively. We must present a balanced budget come March and that will require some difficult decisions. We want to make sure that we make the right decisions for our communities and to do that we need our residents to take part in this consultation and give us their feedback. We particularly want to hear any suggestions that haven’t been considered that could help reduce costs or bring in new income. Our priority is to protect services as much as possible.”