Maldon District Council (MDC) has launched a public consultation on what its budget priorities should be - and for thoughts on council tax, too.

An MDC spokesperson said that the survey launched today (Friday, 30 July) comes in the context of a squeeze on council budgets up and down the country due to reductions in funding and costs that continue to rise.

The spokesperson added: "It is therefore vital that the council's limited resources are used effectively."

The consultation asks all residents and businesses across the district for their views on how the council should use those resources. Questions cover topics such as the council's priorities, ideas for saving money and generating income, cost effective payment methods and possible changes to council tax support.

The questionnaire also asks for views on a proposed £5 a year increase in council tax.

The spokesperson said: "This increase, which equates to just 10 pence per week, would help the council to maintain services in the future given the challenges with rising prices and the reduction in the council's funding."

Councillor Wendy Stamp, Leader of Maldon District Council, said: "It is key that the council makes its financial plans while understanding the views of residents and businesses. We are therefore appealing for as many people as possible to complete the current survey.

"For every £1 that we collect in council tax, we keep just 11p, with the rest collected on behalf of other organisations. We always make sure the money we receive is used in the best way possible and part of that is understanding what our residents and businesses think of our plans.

"We are therefore appealing for residents and businesses to take a few moments to give us their views on our financial plans.

The survey is open until Friday, 10 September, 2021 and can be found on the Maldon District Council website using the link here.