DUDLEY councillors are hoping bal-LOTS of people will join a spending consultation by putting their views in voting boxes.

Ballot boxes are being placed in council-run buildings to encourage residents to have their say on whether they would be prepared to pay extra council tax to protect council services.

The cash-strapped authority says key services will be cut if it cannot raise more money but a hike of more than two per cent in council tax will have to be approved by residents in a referendum.

Councillor Pete Lowe, cabinet member for finance, said: “The ballot boxes are now out in around 30 sites across the borough and we hope people will take a couple of minutes to take part.

“Dudley Council delivers more than 800 services to local people and the scale of the choice and the tough decisions before us can not be underestimated."

As well as leaflet forms with the ballot boxes the consultation can also be completed online at www.dudley.gov.uk or at the council’s Dudley borough Facebook page or via twitter @dudleymbc