GWYNEDD Council is asking local residents to come up with ways it can make budget cuts.

Due to cuts in the funding Gwynedd receives from the government, the council will face a financial gap of almost £13m in 2019/20.

This comes after many years of cutting back on spending and delivering financial savings across the council.

To address the funding gap in the next financial year, the council anticipates that it will be able to reduce the shortfall to £6.8m by delivering savings that are already scheduled to be implemented along with various other arrangements.

The council has then identified opportunities to further reduce ‘back office’ costs and to work more efficiently to save an additional £2 million in ways which it hopes will not have a negative impact on the people of Gwynedd.

To address the remaining £4.8 million gap, the council has no option but to consider implementing more savings and increasing Council Tax.

Before deciding on the way forward, the council is eager to hear the views of Gwynedd residents on its financial strategy and the detailed proposals the authority will have to decide upon when setting the budget for 2019/20.

Gwynedd Council’s chief executive Dilwyn Williams said: “For more than a decade, the council has had to contend with cuts in the funding available to provide local services for the people of Gwynedd.

“We are now reaching the end of what is possible without having to implement significant cuts to front line services.”

There are only two options left for the council to close the remaining £4.8m gap – increasing council tax or introducing plans to generate income or cut services.

What is being proposed in the public consultation is a combination of both in order to protect key front line services.

Mr Williams added: “To address the remaining gap it is proposed that Council Tax is increased by 5.5 per cent for 2019/20 and that the council implements 65 proposals to deliver £1m of savings over the year.

“Before Gwynedd councillors agree on the way forward in March, there is now an opportunity for the people of Gwynedd to share their views on what is being proposed, and in particular the 65 specific proposals. I would urge residents to take the opportunity to participate in this public consultation.”

The council is encouraging Gwynedd residents to take part in the consultation by completing an online questionnaire at www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/FinancialStrategy by 31 January.

Paper copies of the survey will also be available from the council’s Siop Gwynedd one-stop-shops in Caernarfon, Dolgellau and Pwllheli and from the county’s libraries.