RUBBISH collections and creating more jobs are the things that matter most in Worcester, according to a survey of how you would spend taxpayers’ cash.

A major study has just been published into what households across the Faithful City believe should be kept as spending priorities.

Around 200 people took part in the city council’s online budget simulator, which will be used to earmark future spending.

Maintaining rubbish and recycling pick-ups was cited as the most vital element of current council activity, followed by measures to help the city’s economy.

Keeping the streets clean was then cited as the third most important spending area, with residents saying even in tough times they want it maintained at the very least.

Helping homeless people, protecting the environment and making sure Worcester is safe were the next most important spending areas for residents.

Right at the bottom of households’ spending priorities was being kept informed about the council, followed by cultural services.

Car parks and parking enforcement was cited as the third lowest priority - suggesting taxpayers’ can stomach less investment there.

The findings were calculated by asking residents to create their own simulated budget - suggesting if they would increase or decrease investment in each area.

As part of the survey, they were forced to limit council tax increases to two per cent and told about the consequences for each individual decision.

The likes of tourism, public toilets, planning, building control and conservation all ended up midtable, suggesting none of them are deemed major priorities in the current climate.

As your Worcester News revealed last month, the authority is preparing to cut upwards of £3m from spending by 2017/18.

The results will be discussed by the Labour cabinet, which is meeting at the Guildhall from 7pm tonight.

Councillor Lynn Denham, cabinet member for customer services, said: “It’s been very useful - it has enabled people to participate in a budget setting and give their views on it in a way they haven’t been able to before.

“It also gives people an insight into the position the council is in, it’s extraordinarily difficult to balance the books.”

The feedback will be used to help form the 2014/15 budget.