Coalville area residents are being urged not to miss the chance to comment on a new four-year budget plan.

Leicestershire County Council is consulting on proposals which, it says, show that rapidly rising demand for services, and inflation, are increasing costs by £217m. This compares to expected extra income and savings of £122m.

People have until January 19 to have their say on the plan which includes earmarking just under £100m more to support vulnerable children and adults, £12m more to fix potholes and repair roads and a 4.99 per cent Council Tax increase.

You can access the consultation HERE.

The authority says it will balance the books next year by using reserves to manage a small gap.

By 2027, this gap is forecast to increase to £42m and rise to £95m by 2029.

Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for resources, said: "There's just under two weeks left to give your feedback. We deliver over 400 services which impact everyone's lives so don't miss out on having your say." 

The council's yearly budget totals £616m – the authority is one of the biggest organisations in the county, spending around £10m every week on crucial services for Leicestershire residents.

Cllr Breckon added: "Unlike many other councils, we're not at crisis point. Tough decisions and major re-designs of services have stood us in good stead and are bringing down costs.

"But pressure on local government is continually ramping up. With three-quarters of our budget now spent on supporting vulnerable people, we need the Government to tackle the big issues. 

"Council Tax remains our most important source of income. No one wants to ask residents to pay more but without it, we couldn't deliver the services we know our residents rely on."

The proposals at a glance:

• The books balance for next year by using reserves to manage a small gap – with a budget gap of £42m in 2027, rising to £95m by 2029

• Just under £100m more to support vulnerable people – in response to huge increase in demand 

• An extra £12m of capital to help fix potholes and repair roads - taking the total spend on roads, major schemes and tackling flooding to £125m

• A Council Tax rise of 4.99% from April – generating an extra £20m which covers only the National Living Wage and National Insurance increases

• £33m of savings – including redesigning services, reducing the cost of back-office support services by maximising digital technology and smarter procurement, plus £52m to bring spend on SEND more in line with Government funding

• A £380m four-year capital pot – to fund one-costs of building roads, social care accommodation, new school places needed to support new housing, and more.