Borough residents are being urged to tell the council which services they value most as finance chiefs go about setting a budget with significantly reduced national funding.

Following the huge success of last year’s Big Question budget consultation, which saw more than 4,500 residents take part, Dudley Council bosses have launched a similar initiative this year.

The consultation asks people to let the council know which services they most value as the authority looks to set a budget with significantly reduced funding.

Councillor Pete Lowe, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said:

“We received views from more than 4,500 residents in the Big Question last year, making it by far the biggest consultation Dudley Council has ever held. We’re now one year on and we’re in the process of setting our budget for the coming financial year and as a community council we again want to give people the chance to have their say.

“Sadly, over the last year the picture has got significantly worse for local councils, including Dudley. Financial indications from the government now show that around £60 million of savings will be needed in Dudley over the next three years.”

Councillor David Sparks, leader of Dudley Council, said:

“The significant reduction in government funding we are having to  work with will inevitably mean the council can no longer provide some services and may need to change the way it delivers others so we want to find out which services people most value so that we can continue setting budgets with the residents’ interests at heart.”

At its meeting on Wednesday (October 30) the council’s cabinet approved a proposed budget which includes plans to make £25.8million of savings over the next three years. But council bosses acknowledge that up to £60 million of savings will be needed.

In the budget report, savings of £8.6million are proposed for 2014/15, moving up to £17.5million by 2015/16 and £25.8million by 2016/17. But the report shows that the council needs to find a further £32.4m of savings by 2016/17 to avoid a deficit.

People can take part in the Big Question consultation for 2014/15 by going to www.dudley.gov.uk or picking up a hard copy form from Dudley Council Plus or their local library.

Residents can also find out more by using #dudleybudget on twitter @dudleymbc and the Dudley borough facebook page.