We Said, Did you hear,?

​You asked for our views, and we responded in record numbers. With 6,348 official responses, the mandate for the 2026/27 budget is unambiguous. As you move toward the final budget setting in February 2026, we are reminding you of the "Red Lines" set by your constituents.

​1. THE MANDATE: FIX WHAT WE HAVE

​Residents are no longer prioritizing "shiny new builds." The message from the 12 wards is to pivot from high-cost capital projects to essential maintenance.

  • ​Roads (78% Priority): Our #1 issue. We demand the £254m repair backlog be addressed before further capital expansion.
  • ​Education (64% Priority): Protect teacher ratios and existing school resources.
  • ​Social Care (59% Priority): Protect the vulnerable over new infrastructure.

​2. THE "RED LINES" (OVERWHELMING REJECTIONS)

​The public has used the "Budget Challenge" to veto specific cuts. Proceeding with these would be a direct rejection of the public’s will:

  • ​82% REJECTED cuts to Advice Services (CAB).
  • ​71% REJECTED the removal of Free School Music Tuition.
  • ​68% REJECTED any reduction in Winter Gritting.

​3. THE COST OF DISCONNECT

​Residents are questioning the logic of a £68.6 Million capital spend on the Whitesands project while vital services like the CAB (at £905k) face 100% funding withdrawal.

​The Math: For every £1 you save by cutting winter safety gritting, the region is spending £586 on the Whitesands flood wall.

​4. WE SUPPORT CHANGE (THE SMART SHIFT)

​We voted YES to modernization to save our services:

  • ​84% Support Digital First: Automate back-office tasks to fund frontline staff.
  • ​61% Support a Tourism Tax: Make visitors pay for the infrastructure they use.
  • ​56% Support Shared Management: Cut the management overhead, not the community halls.

​THE FINAL WORD

​In February 2026, you will cast your vote. You have the numbers. You have the record engagement. We have said it—now it is over to you.

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