WHICH council services do you think are most important? Where do you think Fenland District Council should focus its spending over the next year and beyond?

This week we have launched a major consultation to help us decide on our future priorities. The cuts announced by the Government last year mean that in future we, in common with all local authorities, are going to have significantly less money to spend on the services we provide.

Consequently, we want to know what you think our priorities should be.

We have produced a simple questionnaire which we are circulating as widely as possible throughout Fenland. It is now available in the four Fenland@ your service shops, the three leisure centres and online at www.fenland.gov.uk/yourviews

Copies will also be distributed with the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard next week.

All responses must be returned to us by February 1. They will all be treated in the strictest confidence.

The questionnaire says that Fenland District Council is in a better position than most councils because of significant savings made over the past couple of years.

But it adds: “We may need to make some really tough decisions in the future and we need your help to do this. It is essential that we know which of our services are most important to local people to help inform our decisions.”

The questionnaire lists 13 options and asks people to rank them in order of importance. The options cover a wide range of services, including street cleaning, assistance for local businesses, the provision of CCTV cameras in community locations and protecting our most vulnerable residents.

It also provides space for residents to add any further comments.