CREDITON Town Council is keen to hear your views, feedback and thoughts on how it spends its portion of council tax – known as the precept.

Communities across England are facing difficult budgeting decisions in the face of inflation and rising energy and fuel costs, amongst many other factors contributing to the cost-of-living crisis.

This, alongside reductions in central government funding to our county and district councils have seen many of our services already reduced or removed.

Crediton Town Council wants to ensure value for money in delivery of services to our local people and to ensure that it knows what people feel are essential services that it could deliver.

The town council’s aim is to undertake a consultation, with a view to understanding what services Crediton people want to see investment in, maintained or even reduced.

It has organised consultation events to support the budgeting process as the Town Council sets its precept. Crediton Town Council currently provides services such as:

• floral displays including hanging baskets and planters in the Town Square

• community events such as Christmas in Crediton and Remembrance Sunday

• grass cutting and maintenance of town council owned areas such as People’s Park and Upper Deck

• A youth service, incorporating a youth club and holiday activities

• community grants.

Crediton Mayor and chairman of Crediton Town Council, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking, said: “We want to hear from residents to understand what services are important to them. This will inform and help as we prepare and agree our annual budget for 2024-25.”

Crediton Town Clerk Rachel Avery said: “Without hearing from our community, it is a much more difficult process to set a budget.

“We are incredibly proud of the services we deliver and want to ensure that the needs of our residents are met as far as possible.”

The first workshop took place on November 4 and the remaining workshops will take place on:

Saturday, November 18 at The Boniface Centre, 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday, November 21 at Old Landscore School, 6pm to 8pm.

The workshops will include a short presentation and round-table discussions where participants will take part in group work and can discuss issues with councillors, staff and other residents.