Dundee City Council Launches Public Consultation on 2025/26 Budget
Dundee City Council has kicked off its budget consultation for the financial year 2025/26, inviting residents to weigh in on spending priorities, potential savings, and Council Tax levels. With a predicted funding gap of over £15 million, equivalent to a staggering 29% rise in Council Tax, the council is facing tough decisions.
For the first time, citizens are being asked to provide feedback on detailed savings options proposed by council officers. The consultation is open until 29 December, giving the public a chance to shape the future of Dundee’s services.
Local councils across Scotland are no strangers to financial pressures, but Dundee City Council’s predicted £15.6 million gap for 2025/26 paints a particularly stark picture. Since 2008, the council has already made savings of around £171 million. However, rising demand for services, inflation, and stagnant funding settlements have left the city with increasingly limited options.
Council Leader Mark Flynn did not sugar-coat the situation:
“The decisions that elected members will have to make in order to set a balanced budget are more challenging than ever.”
He highlighted the vast array of services the council delivers, educating children, providing social care, maintaining roads, and waste collection, among others, stressing the need to focus finite resources on the services that have the greatest impact on residents’ lives.
This year’s budget consultation is unlike previous ones. For the first time, detailed savings proposals have been included, offering a clearer picture of the tough choices the council is considering. Residents can provide feedback on these specific options, allowing officers and elected members to understand the potential impacts of proposed cuts or changes.
The consultation also encourages feedback from individuals with protected characteristics under the Equality Act. This ensures that the council considers the needs of vulnerable and underrepresented groups when making its decisions.
To make participation as accessible as possible:
Online surveys are available on the council’s website.
Paper forms can be accessed at libraries and community centres.
Free internet access and IT support are offered in libraries for those who need assistance.
Councillor Flynn emphasised the importance of public input, stating:
“The more people who take part, and the more detailed feedback given, the more informed our decision making will be.”
One of the most contentious issues is the potential for a steep rise in Council Tax. While the consultation aims to gather public opinion on spending priorities, it’s impossible to ignore the burden a significant tax increase would place on Dundee households.
A 29% increase might seem like an extreme scenario, but even a smaller rise will likely spark criticism, particularly given the financial strain many residents are already under. The consultation’s transparent approach to this possibility is commendable, but it also puts the council in a difficult position, balancing financial stability with affordability for residents.
Council consultations are often criticised as token gestures, with decisions seemingly pre-determined. However, Dundee’s leaders are keen to stress that this process is different. Flynn pointed to past consultations that had shaped council decisions, insisting that feedback from the public will be seriously considered before the final budget is set.
That said, some residents remain sceptical. While the council’s effort to include detailed savings options is a step forward, questions remain about whether their input will lead to tangible changes or whether the financial realities will ultimately force the council’s hand.
One of the standout features of this consultation is its openness. By including savings options and inviting feedback, the council has taken a more transparent approach than in previous years. However, transparency alone may not be enough to rebuild public trust, especially if cuts disproportionately affect essential services.
Critics have questioned whether more could have been done earlier to mitigate this financial crisis. For example, could long-term inefficiencies have been addressed sooner? Have council resources been managed as effectively as possible? These are questions that many residents will likely be asking as they fill out the consultation survey.
The consultation closes on 29 December, with results to be reviewed in January when the council receives its funding settlement for the year. A clearer picture of the financial gap will emerge, and councillors will then decide on the final budget.
The months ahead will be crucial in determining how Dundee balances the books while maintaining its commitment to essential services. Residents have an opportunity to influence this process, but the ultimate outcome will depend on the council’s ability to act on feedback while navigating an increasingly hostile financial environment.
Dundee City Council is urging all residents to participate in the consultation. Whether you care deeply about social care, education, or road maintenance, or simply want to avoid a sharp rise in Council Tax, this is your chance to make your voice heard.
Visit the council’s website to complete the survey or pick up a paper form at your local library. With so much at stake, now is the time for the people of Dundee to step forward and help shape the city’s future.
As Flynn put it:
“It’s important to stress that no decisions have been taken. What we need to do is listen to the views of people, to understand their priorities and any impacts that changes will have on them.”
Dundee deserves a budget that reflects the needs and values of its people. Let’s hope this consultation delivers just that.
Click here to take part in the consultation;
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xW2RZNQhZkKk7pbw52UA0byTwXgGdmhAufV7ajKyWXlUREVBNFlEVklPNUpFVUkyS0ZTM1VWR05KWS4u&route=shorturl
