A budget debate saw more than 10,117 people get involved .
The council launched It’s Time to Talk earlier this year in a bid to involve the wider community in council spending plans.
During the second phase a further 3,802 people completed the Budget Challenge and 3,581 more spoke to council staff at public meetings.
Figures show 2,734 people visited the Kirklees Talk website which aims to engage the public .
However, of the 70,000 young people and their parents targeted via schools, just 1,237 took part in the Budget Challenge.
Looking after vulnerable people – old and young – were the main priorities of those taking part .The top priority among the wider public was that older people are properly looked after. In second place was that people feel safe where they live, the third priority was to protect children from danger, followed by children having the best start in life.
Clr David Sheard, deputy leader, said: “To have 10,000 contacts... That isn’t something that has happened before. I thank everyone who has taken part.”
Clr Andrew Marchington, Golcar Lib Dem, said the budget talks had bridged a gap between young and old, who each has listed protecting each other as priorities
Clr Robert Light, Conservative leader, said 10,000 contacts was “positive” but that they should be “concerned about the 390,000 other people who haven’t been consulted”.
