CASH-strapped Redditch councillors will be sitting down on Monday to decide what facilities and services are going to axed in a bid to save £1.158 million.

A raft of cost-cutting measures are on the table, including controversial proposals to close Forge Mill Needle Museum and Arrow Valley Countryside Centre. The council's One Stop Shops and Redditch Market are also under threat.

The long list of possible savings is about £700,000 more than the needed total so not all cuts will be made.

And a leading councillor says the fate of the museum and countryside centre should not be decided until the outcome of the public inquiry into the Abbey Stadium development is known.

Conservative group leader Carole Gandy says it would be short-sighted not to see the potential for the two facilities should the project get the go-ahead from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mrs Gandy believes the two attractions could add another dimension for visitors once the Abbey Stadium scheme is up and running.

"I don't think the council should make any hasty decisions about Forge Mill and the countryside centre without looking at their potential for the future," she said.

"The Abbey Stadium development is set to have lots of attractions to bring in families from across the region, with possibly even a hotel.

''The Abbey Stadium facilities could be marketed alongside Forge Mill and the countryside centre. Where else could you go and enjoy bowling or the cinema and then go to an industrial museum or down to the lake?"

Mrs Gandy said she had received many e-mails from residents concerned about the cutbacks, in particular the plan to shut the museum.

"This appears to be one of the areas of most concern as it is part of Redditch's history," she added.

"My party has already requested the option to close Forge Mill is thrown out of the basket and we would not support any move to close it."

The result of the public inquiry is due to be announced in the spring.