BOURNEMOUTH council is asking its residents to rate the importance of 26 frontline services as it prepares to deal with “unprecedented” cuts to budgets.

The four-week consultation exercise will see the public asked how the council can make savings or work more efficiently.

Locals will be asked about the relative importance of services, from winter gritting to careers advice and libraries to street lighting.

They will also be asked which services are most in need of improvement and where they think budget cuts could best be made.

Council leader Cllr Peter Charon said: “Never has involving the public in setting our budget priorities been more important than it is now.

“With unprecedented cuts anticipated nationally, it is vital that we understand which services local people value the most, so that we can do all we can to protect them.

“Equally important is that we work with our residents and other stakeholders to set out our stall, be honest about the funding challenges we are facing, and are realistic about the service levels we can continue to offer.

“I would urge all Bournemouth’s residents to take part in this consultation so that, when the government makes its announcements next month, we can get to work to respond in a way that puts local people’s opinions at the heart of our thinking.”

Deputy leader Cllr John Beesley said budget-setting covered hundreds of different services and was an “extremely complicated and detailed piece of work”.

“We are starting our budget consultation now to give us maximum opportunity to take people’s views on board as we prepare our options for budget reductions for future years.”

The consultation runs from today to October 13 and results will be available online by November 10.

Surveys will be sent to all 800 members of the borough’s E-panel and residents can take part online at bournemouth.gov.uk/budget or by picking up a copy from a library or community centre. Council staff will be working with people who need help responding.

A printable version of the questionnaire is available on the website so charities, volunteers and councillors can distribute it further. Anyone with queries can call 01202 454869.