Join us for our next Facebook Live event on Tuesday 10 November at 6pm and Ask Us about the 2021/22 budget proposals.

Along with our partners and the wider community we’re facing one of our most challenging periods in recent years. We’re dealing with ongoing austerity alongside the current COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate the virus will cost us around £8million in expenditure and lost income next year.

Our budget proposals are now available on our website and on Tuesday, Council representatives will be Live on Facebook answering your questions. Torbay Council’s Leader Cllr Steve Darling, Deputy Leader Cllr Darren Cowell and Head of Financial Services Martin Phillips will all be on the Ask Us panel.

Leader of Torbay Council, Councillor Steve Darling, said: “As we enter a second lockdown these budget proposals come at a time of extreme uncertainty. There’s uncertainty over how much we will need to spend to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, how much funding we will receive and the amount of income we will be able to generate.

“Despite the pandemic we have made significant steps in our Children’s Services improvement journey this year and made efficiency savings. We would now like you to take a look at our proposals for next year and have your say in our Budget consultation which ends on 4 December. The Facebook Live session is an opportunity for you to ask us your questions directly.”

Deputy Leader, Darren Cowell, said: “Our Facebook Live events are usually popular – they are another way of engaging directly with our communities. If you have a question about our 2021/22 budget proposals please visit our Facebook page and leave it on a post promoting the event or the budget in advance. You can also ask your questions on the night and we will answer as many as we can. I hope you can join us at 6pm on Tuesday.”

The budget proposals and link to the consultation are available on our website www.torbay.gov.uk/budget-202122.