SOUTH Ribble council is facing some tough decisions soon as councillors meet to debate budget proposals for the financial year.

At a meeting of the council's cabinet on Wednesday, February 7, leading councillors will be considering options and agreeing recommendations before a full council meeting later in the month.

Councillor Margaret Smith, cabinet member for finance, said: "The budget decisions this year are more difficult than usual because the council has had to take on a number of new duties and these all have to be paid for.

"Next year, for example, the council will be putting in place the government's new Concessionary Travel Scheme.

"This will bring benefits to many elderly and disabled people, but there is an additional cost to the council."

She added: "The new area committees have been a huge success, but they have also meant increases in cost because so many members of the public are now interested in having copies of the reports. "We will have to work harder than ever to increase efficiency and to decide where the council's priorities should lie."

Councillor Gina Lewis, leader of South Ribble council, said: "We have had more consultation than ever about the budget this year.

"The council will be taking in to account the views of the business community and the views expressed through community action planning and areas committees.

"The council has hard choices to make, but the priority will be to continue to improve the services we provide for local people."