RESIDENTS in Winsford are being given a say on how their council tax should be spent.

The Town Council's finance committee is preparing to set their annual budget for the financial year 2020-21 and wants the public to get involved.

Councillors approved plans to introduce participatory budgeting at a meeting in Wyvern House on Monday evening.

The move follows successful community consultation and shared policy making which has encouraged more than 70,000 people living in Reykjavik in Iceland to submit ideas and get involved in the democratic process.

Town council clerk Mark Bailey said: "This is an opportunity for residents of Winsford to put forward ideas for us to look at. I feel it is a really positive step forward in the way we do things.

Cllr Damon Horrill said: "This is not only a chance for residents to express their views but also to have a say. I think it is an excellent approach."

An survey on the town council's Facebook page invites people to identify their priorities.

Tax payers are asked to rank four areas in order of importance, parks and open spaces, events, buildings and assets and financial matters.

Residents are invited to suggest projects they think the council should be doing within their remit.The council is only responsible for parks and recreations grounds, allotments, providing milk to pupils under seven, Christmas lights and grants to local organisations.

Councillors also approved plans to establish an online forum for Winsford residents to present ideas regarding the services and operations of the council.

This will give people the chance to present and evaluate ideas, voice their opinions and rate suggestions.

The best ideas will be presented to the Town Council formally for consideration and possible adoption.

If adopted, an idea can then be worked on and can also have a budget attached to it.

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A public meeting will be held to consider residents' views on priorities and budgets.

Councillors will earmark an amount for participatory budgeting at their meeting next month and approve the figure in January as part of the overall Town Council budget.

To take part in the survey visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BDWXQMG.