Have your say on the 2012/13 budget

And now it's easier than ever to register your opinions, thanks to a handy budget simulator which can be accessed via the Council's website.

The simulator - which can be found by clicking on www.southend.gov.uk/haveyoursay - went live today (Monday 19th September).

It allows residents to choose different ways a budget can be drawn up to achieve the necessary savings of 10 per cent.

The simulator does this by showing the possible consequences when residents increase or decrease the budget for different Council-provided service areas.

The budget consultation exercise, which will run until Sunday 30th October, will assist the Council to determine residents' priorities and provide information to support the budget-setting process. 

But if you don't have easy access to the internet there's no need to worry - you can still take part in the budget consultation as a paper version of the questionnaire is also available.

The paper questionnaires will be available at libraries across the Borough (where they can also use the library computers to access the online budget simulator) or by calling 01702-215000. 

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Leader, Councillor Nigel Holdcroft, said: "We remain committed to listening to the views of our residents.

"We want to give people living in the Borough their say on where they think the Council should make the savings which have been requested of them by the Government.

"The views expressed in this consultation exercise will help inform our priorities for the next two years and, in turn, how the Council spends the resources available to it.

"The online budget simulator is an excellent, user friendly way to let us know where you think we should make savings and which Council-provided services should be left alone.

"I urge residents to take the opportunity we are giving them to become involved in the budget-setting process."