Budget 2023/24 Consultation

Share Budget 2023/24 Consultation on Facebook Share Budget 2023/24 Consultation on Twitter Share Budget 2023/24 Consultation on Linkedin Email Budget 2023/24 Consultation link


Consultation has concluded


Why are we consulting?

Like many organisations, Bristol City Council has a cost of operating crisis, which will affect our ability to carry out all the activities we want to and may affect our ability to provide the services we want. This consultation sets out proposals that will start the process of making the council smaller, do less and focus in on its priorities, while improving efficiency, as part of setting a balanced budget.

We are seeking your views on our approach to setting a balanced and legal budget, as we continue to deliver much needed services and take the action needed to tackle the issues facing the city.


Our proposals to reduce costs and generate more income

We are consulting you on our proposals to reduce costs and generate more income. These proposals set out ways in which we could do things more efficiently, change how we currently do some things to save money and, in some cases, stop doing things. These proposals are at different stages of development and some will require further consultation at a later date before any final decision is taken.

The proposals presented in this consultation amount to £45.7 million over the next five years and, following consultation and further analysis, the proposals could be changed, reduced or removed. The financial challenge we face is significant (currently the budget gap is estimated to be up to £87.6m) and means we are likely to need to make some more difficult decisions in February 2023 for 2023/24 and beyond to bridge the remaining estimated gap. We may need to propose and consult on further savings and we will publicise this if that happens. At the end of this survey, you can sign up to receive fortnightly email updates about council consultations and engagement.

We are also consulting you on options for the level of Council Tax and Social Care Precept for next year (2023/24), which we consider to be a last resort after we have exhausted other options. The options we are considering first are saving money wherever we can. This includes considering how we organise ourselves, conduct our business and raise income; reviewing the council estate to ensure we have the right buildings in the right place to deliver and achieve our goals; accelerating our drive to use digital technology so we are more cost-effective and flexible in everything we do; and continuing to make our case for fair funding from the Government.

The consultation is open from Friday 11 November and will close at midnight on Friday 23 December. Please read the information in the survey, provide answers to the questions that you would like to respond to and submit by Friday 23 December 2022 to ensure your views are considered.

Easy Read versions of the consultation are available:

  • An interactive PDF Easy Read which you can download on a desktop or laptop, complete and email to us at consultation@bristol.gov.uk. We do not recommend using the interactive pdf on a smartphone or tablet. This interactive PDF may not be suitable for users of assistive technology
  • A WCAG compliant Easy Read version, which you can read online, print and post to us at Consultation and Engagement, Bristol City Council, City Hall, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

You can request alternative formats of this document by contacting the Consultation and Engagement Team on consultation@bristol.gov.uk or by calling 0117 922 2848.


What happens next?

The online survey has now closed.

All responses to this budget consultation were analysed and the feedback helped us develop final proposals for the level of Council Tax and Social Care Precept, and how we would balance the budget gap in 2023/24. The council’s Cabinet considered these proposals on 24 January 2023 and agreed a recommended budget for all councillors to consider. The final decisions about the 2023/24 budget were taken by Full Council at its budget setting meeting on 21 February 2023. Both Cabinet and Full Council took responses to the consultation into consideration when making their decisions.

Full Council agreed the council’s budget for 2023/24.

Council Tax will rise by 4.99%, which includes 2% to support Adult Social Care.

Further details are available on the Full Council meeting page.

You can view all Council meetings at democracy.bristol.gov.uk


Why are we consulting?

Like many organisations, Bristol City Council has a cost of operating crisis, which will affect our ability to carry out all the activities we want to and may affect our ability to provide the services we want. This consultation sets out proposals that will start the process of making the council smaller, do less and focus in on its priorities, while improving efficiency, as part of setting a balanced budget.

We are seeking your views on our approach to setting a balanced and legal budget, as we continue to deliver much needed services and take the action needed to tackle the issues facing the city.


Our proposals to reduce costs and generate more income

We are consulting you on our proposals to reduce costs and generate more income. These proposals set out ways in which we could do things more efficiently, change how we currently do some things to save money and, in some cases, stop doing things. These proposals are at different stages of development and some will require further consultation at a later date before any final decision is taken.

The proposals presented in this consultation amount to £45.7 million over the next five years and, following consultation and further analysis, the proposals could be changed, reduced or removed. The financial challenge we face is significant (currently the budget gap is estimated to be up to £87.6m) and means we are likely to need to make some more difficult decisions in February 2023 for 2023/24 and beyond to bridge the remaining estimated gap. We may need to propose and consult on further savings and we will publicise this if that happens. At the end of this survey, you can sign up to receive fortnightly email updates about council consultations and engagement.

We are also consulting you on options for the level of Council Tax and Social Care Precept for next year (2023/24), which we consider to be a last resort after we have exhausted other options. The options we are considering first are saving money wherever we can. This includes considering how we organise ourselves, conduct our business and raise income; reviewing the council estate to ensure we have the right buildings in the right place to deliver and achieve our goals; accelerating our drive to use digital technology so we are more cost-effective and flexible in everything we do; and continuing to make our case for fair funding from the Government.

The consultation is open from Friday 11 November and will close at midnight on Friday 23 December. Please read the information in the survey, provide answers to the questions that you would like to respond to and submit by Friday 23 December 2022 to ensure your views are considered.

Easy Read versions of the consultation are available:

  • An interactive PDF Easy Read which you can download on a desktop or laptop, complete and email to us at consultation@bristol.gov.uk. We do not recommend using the interactive pdf on a smartphone or tablet. This interactive PDF may not be suitable for users of assistive technology
  • A WCAG compliant Easy Read version, which you can read online, print and post to us at Consultation and Engagement, Bristol City Council, City Hall, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

You can request alternative formats of this document by contacting the Consultation and Engagement Team on consultation@bristol.gov.uk or by calling 0117 922 2848.


What happens next?

The online survey has now closed.

All responses to this budget consultation were analysed and the feedback helped us develop final proposals for the level of Council Tax and Social Care Precept, and how we would balance the budget gap in 2023/24. The council’s Cabinet considered these proposals on 24 January 2023 and agreed a recommended budget for all councillors to consider. The final decisions about the 2023/24 budget were taken by Full Council at its budget setting meeting on 21 February 2023. Both Cabinet and Full Council took responses to the consultation into consideration when making their decisions.

Full Council agreed the council’s budget for 2023/24.

Council Tax will rise by 4.99%, which includes 2% to support Adult Social Care.

Further details are available on the Full Council meeting page.

You can view all Council meetings at democracy.bristol.gov.uk