TELL us which county council services you want us to ditch, Huntingdonshire residents will be asked on Friday. Even if Council Tax increased by five per cent – any more would be capped by Whitehall – Cambridgeshire County Council would not have enough cas

TELL us which county council services you want us to ditch, Huntingdonshire residents will be asked on Friday.

Even if Council Tax increased by five per cent - any more would be capped by Whitehall - Cambridgeshire County Council would not have enough cash to maintain the full current range of services, the authority said.

Now it is asking taxpayers to identify their priorities among council services, so councillors can decide where the axe must fall.

The county council spends about £540million each year providing public services.

About half of this goes directly to schools - it is ring-fenced to schools and, therefore, untouchable - and more than £100million goes towards caring for older people and those with disabilities.

Other services include roads and transport schemes, other educational services, caring for vulnerable children, libraries, waste disposal and recycling, trading standards and caring for the environment.

The council's increase in grant from the Government next year is one of the lowest in the country and, despite a proposal to increase Council Tax by five per cent, there will not be enough money to maintain all levels of service.

Council leader, Councillor Keith Walters, from Sawtry, said: "Cambridgeshire's growing population is putting huge pressure on all services, especially social care. Our Government grant settlement doesn't take full account of this growth and quite simply there isn't sufficient money to go round.

"I hope people will take the opportunity to tell us which areas they feel should be priority for spending. These events are an important part of our budget consultation and we will listen to all views expressed to us."

INFORMATION: Leading councillors from each of the political parties will be available to answer questions and hear views at Huntingdon Library, on Friday, from 5.30-7pm.