Have a say and help us to make South Tyneside fair for everyone

Cllr Jim Foreman, South Tyneside Council

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Council chiefs in South Tyneside are facing some hard decisions as they prepare for next year's budget.

Cllr Jim Foreman, lead member for governance, finance and corporate services, outlines the task ahead.

Every year, South Tyneside Council must set a budget. It's one of the most important jobs we do, but it's getting harder.

Since 2010, we've faced less funding, higher costs, and more people needing our services.

We've become leaner and changed our priorities to target support where it's needed most.

Where we've invested, it's been with the future in mind, ensuring we have the facilities people rely on and our assets are now valued at over £1.3bn.

Around 80% of our money goes on services we must provide by law-statutory services like adult and children's social care, waste collection, and keeping people safe.

The cost of running these vital services keeps rising.

That leaves less for discretionary services-the ones we choose to provide, like leisure centres, youth services, health programmes, welfare support and community schemes.

These aren't required by law, but they make a real difference, especially in an area like South Tyneside with high levels of deprivation.

We're asking you, our residents, to tell us where you want our limited funds spent.