Residents, business owners and voluntary and community groups are all invited to attend an online budget Q&A session. The event is a follow up to the Zoom sessions held in December.
This session will also be held on Zoom on Wednesday, 24 February at 7pm and will be open to residents, businesses and the voluntary and community sector. It will be led by Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for finance and leisure.
Councillor Mahfouz will recap discussions held in December before outlining budget proposals for 2021/22, including a proposed council tax rise, savings, a forecast for the council’s long-term financial position and next steps.
Following Councillor Mahfouz’s update, attendees will be able to put their questions to a panel including Councillor Mahfouz and Councillor Julian Bell, the leader of the council.
Attendees must register for the event in advance by following the links below. A Zoom account is not required to take part. A link to join the session will be sent once attendees register:
Register for the budget Q&A session: Wednesday, 24 February, 7pm
A maximum of 500 people may register for each session. A recording of the session will also be available afterwards on the council’s YouTube channel.
Councillor Mahfouz said: “I am really grateful for all of those who attended our December sessions and the positive feedback we received as a way of engaging in the current climate. As well as gaining valuable insight into the priorities of local residents and groups, the questions and feedback has helped shape our approach when setting next year’s budget, as well as understanding the challenges we face.
“At the time, I promised to come back with more information about our financial settlement from government and actual savings proposals. I’m pleased to say that I’m now in a position to do that and I’m looking forward to explaining these in further detail.”
The full 2021/22 draft budget is available on the council’s website. It is scheduled to be debated at the next meeting of full council on Tuesday, 2 March where councillors will vote on whether to approve the plan.
