THOUSANDS of borough residents had their say in Dudley Council’s Big Question budget consultation – making it the biggest response in the authority’s history.

People were asked to identify the five council services they most value and the 6,095 responses will now be considered by finance bosses as they work to set a budget whilst making the required savings of around £57 million over the next three years.

The results will be collated and reported to a meeting of the council’s cabinet on February 11, where a budget proposal will also be put forward.

Councillor Stuart Turner, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “Over the last three years working as a community council, we have made it a key priority to increase engagement and participation of our residents.

"We are delighted that so many people have taken the chance to have their say with this year’s budget setting process and I would like to thank every single one of them.

“Due to the continued cuts in funding from central government, setting budgets at a local level is becoming more and more difficult so it is vitally important that we have our finger on the pulse and know which services our residents most value.”

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the council, added: “We have shown our willingness and desire to listen to the people we serve and I’m delighted that they have responded in this way.

“We will continue to engage with people over the coming months and years as we look to deliver services differently due to the continued strain on our budgets.”