COLCHESTER Council is asking members of the public to have their say on the authority’s future plans with inflation, borrowing costs, and energy bills starting to bite.

As reported by the Gazette, the council is faced with major fiscal challenges caused by the current economic downturn which is going to present the body with a serious challenge over the coming years.

As a result, the council is considering an overhaul of its operations and has opened an online survey for members of the public to complete as the body re-evaluates its priorities.

Questions in the survey involve ranking public services in order of importance, as well as ranking the five priorities which are laid out in the councils 2020-2023 strategic plan.

The survey can be accessed via: bit.ly/3rFih9i.

Colchester Council leader David King the consultation was key to helping the council make the best decision given the circumstances the authority – as with others throughout the UK – is currently finding itself in.

He said: “Feedback from the survey will be combined with the outcome of a recent local government association peer review and ongoing cross-party discussion.

“This will be crucial in shaping the future operation of the council and the way we will deliver key services, with others, for years to come.”