WYRE Forest residents will be given a chance to have their say on next year's council tax rate for Worcestershire, as the county council seeks ways to overcome a financial shortfall.
Members of Worcestershire County Council's executive committee are to undertake a wide-ranging public consultation exercise on its budget, putting three options to council tax payers.
The provisional budget announced by the Government was described as "inadequate to meet the real needs within the county" by committee members.
They fear the authority's efforts to raise standards in schools will be undermined by "a poor allocation for education".
The choices being put to the public are:
set the education spending figure at the level recommended by Government or continue with the current policy, which is £2.3 million above the Government's assessment.
increase social services budget by £4 million to meet needs and winter pressures.
meet priorities for growth in other services.
The county council will set its council tax bills on February 22. In the meantime, it will express its "grave concerns" to the Government over the implications of the provisional settlement for services.
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