Wiltshire residents have been invited to share their views on what the council should be spending its money on next year.

Wiltshire Council has opened an online survey for people to express their opinions on what its 2025/26 budget should prioritise.

The council said its budget is facing increased scrutiny and pressure due to a growing demand for services, particularly in adults' services, children's social care, and SEND.

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, fluctuating inflation, and unpredictable energy prices have further impacted the demand, it added.

The short survey, available on the Wiltshire Council website until November 8, will allow people to share their views on budget priorities.

It comes after face-to-face interactive sessions at libraries in Salisbury, Chippenham, and Trowbridge, and is aimed at those who were unable to attend these sessions.

Councillor Nick Botterill, cabinet member for finance, said: "Local authorities are legally obliged to set a balanced budget.

"Our prudent and preventative approach over the last few years has put Wiltshire Council in a strong position to deliver high quality services for Wiltshire’s residents, businesses, and communities, in line with its Business Plan priorities.

"However, we are not immune to the challenging time it is for council finances with growing demand for services and increasing costs.

"We want to hear people’s views on how they think we should prioritise spending in 2025/26, so that this can inform how we invest in key services and programmes to ensure we continue to deliver services that meet the need of our residents, businesses, and communities."

The council's budget for 2024/25 is approximately £490 million, with more than half of this being spent on adult and children's social care services.

The council receives nearly 84 per cent of its core funding from local taxes, business rates, and council tax.

The most significant spending for 2024/25 has been allocated to adult services, families and children, the environment, highways and transport, and education and skills.

Sums of £179.4 million, £70.8 million, £49.6 million, £43 million, and £38.9 million have been spent on these areas respectively, totalling more than £380 million.

Councillor Botterill added: "We thank people for coming out to get involved in our recent interactive budget drop-in sessions, it was really useful to get everyone’s feedback."

People can find out more about the council's budget and spending on the Wiltshire Council website.