Kirklees Council is faced with making £47 million of cuts before February 2024 – and the public are invited to have their say.

The council, which is fighting to stave off bankruptcy, has launched a budget engagement survey which it says will help shape decision-making.

Anyone who lives or works in Kirklees can complete the survey which takes 10-15 minutes.

The survey starts by addressing the rising costs and financial pressures that the council is facing.

The council has already said it must close at least three leisure centres including Colne Valley in Slaithwaite; two dementia care homes in Newsome and Heckmondwike; and raise car parking charges, backdating increases to 2009.

It also wants to end free parking in smaller towns and villages and raise fees and charges for everything from allotments to residential parking permits.

There are also plans to mothball Cleckheaton Town Hall, shut down the historic Batley Library building and transfer or sell off community centres including the DRAM Centre in Dalton and the HUDAWI Centre in Huddersfield.

The council says the public’s responses to the survey will help them with “difficult decisions” over where to cut spending.

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The survey talks about council funding and why long-term investment money, such as that used for regenerating town centres, cannot be spent on day-to-day spending like running costs of council buildings and repairing roads.

It states that the council must set a balanced budget each year – meaning the amount they expect to spend is no more than the amount they expect to receive.

Individuals are then asked to order priorities in the following areas for which the council are responsible: the economy, housing, services for communities and adults, children and young people, and the environment.

Council leader Clr Cathy Scott said: “From supporting children to social care, all our vital services rely on stable funding.

“Our priority must be to provide that stability and set a balanced budget next year, while ensuring that residents feel they can depend on us to deliver the best for Kirklees.

“We will look at setting our budget early next year, but first we want to hear from those who live and work in Kirklees. Let us know what matters most to you in our latest budget engagement survey.”

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Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: “Up and down the country councils are facing financial pressures due to rising costs and limited funding.

“We have tough decisions to make to ensure the stability of the council and we won’t let residents down.

“This year’s budget is probably the most important in the history of Kirklees, so we would encourage you to have your say and help us shape the future.”

Responses from the survey will be used to inform decision-making in the council for the 2024-2025 financial year.

Visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/budget-engagement to have your say. The survey closes at midnight on Tuesday January 2 2024.