Hundreds of Dudley borough residents have already had their say on which council services they most value as part of the authority’s budget consultation.

Finance chiefs in Dudley are currently tackling the issue of setting a budget with significantly reduced national funding and are asking people to have their say.

And since its launch last week, the Big Question 2014-15 consultation has already attracted 400 responses from local people keen to have their views heard.

Council bosses are delighted with the huge initial response and will soon be sending an e-bulletin directly to residents subscribed to the free service.

More than 1,600 people are already signed up to the e-bulletins which were launched as part of last year’s hugely successful Big Question consultation on the budget.

The bulletin will be another way people can complete this year’s consultation and people can sign up to it by emailing their postcode to community.council@dudley.gov.uk

Councillor Pete Lowe, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said:

“As a community council the views of the people we serve really does matter to us and we are delighted so many people have taken part. Last year’s extensive consultation has given us a picture of people’s views but we still want to get feedback again this time around.

“Financial indications from the government now show that around £60 million of savings will be needed in Dudley over the next three years. The significant reduction in government funding we are having to cope with will mean the council can’t provide some services and may need to deliver others differently so we want to know which services people value most.”

The consultation asks people to let the council know which services they most value as the authority looks to set a budget with significantly reduced funding.

People can take part in the Big Question consultation for 2014/15 by going to www.dudley.gov.uk or picking up a hard copy form from Dudley Council Plus or their local library.

Residents can also find out more by using #dudleybudget on twitter @dudleymbc and the Dudley borough facebook page.