RESIDENTS have one last chance to influence town hall bosses before they set next year's council tax.

People will soon get the chance to make their views known and quiz councillors and officers.

Councillor John Byrne, deputy council leader and finance spokesman, said the council tried every year to consult as many individuals, groups and businesses as possible about the budget.

"It is no good people complaining that they never had the chance to have their say once we have agreed things such as the council tax for the coming 12 months," he said.

So far the council has discussed the budget at the borough's six area boards and is having thorough talks with local firms.

The meeting will look at detailed plans for the budget, capital programme and council tax, and options for both spending and saving money, particularly in schools.

"This meeting will bring to an end our public consultation for the forthcoming financial year and we hope to see a really good turnout of local people" said Coun Byrne.

The consultation session is at Bury Town Hall's Elizabethan Suite on Tuesday, February 20, starting at 6.30pm.

Final decisions on the budget will be taken by the executive committee on February 28 and then by a special council meeting on March 7.