WE’RE calling it the Axe Factor.

Over the coming weeks and months, local councils and other public bodies will be making tough decisions on how to cut spending – and those decisions will affect each and every one of us.

Bournemouth must find £8million annually in savings, for example, and other authorities are in the same boat.

The squeeze is on.

Next week, the Daily Echo will be launching a public debate about the situation and asking for your views on where the cuts should come.

Which services should be protected? What should be sacrificed and what should be the priorities? Where can waste be cut? How would you be affected? We want to know what you think about the issue that will dominate the political landscape up to the general election and beyond as Britain faces up to tackling the mountain of public sector debt.

Starting next week we will be publishing special features profiling each of our local councils – Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset, Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck and the New Forest – and looking at the financial position of each one.

Then we’ll be printing your views and suggestions as part of the great public spending debate.

So watch out for more on the Axe Factor in the coming days and on how to take part.

In the meantime you can send us your thoughts by emailing newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk. or writing to The Axe Factor, Daily Echo Newsdesk, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, BH2 6HH.