Residents in Argyll and Bute are being invited to tell the council about their budget priorities by using an on-line budget calculator.

The budget simulator provides information on the financial challenge facing Argyll and Bute’s council services, as well as the limitations and opportunities for setting a budget.

The council’s funding gap next year alone is estimated to be more than £10 million, and savings have to be made from area's controlled by the council.

The simulator lists services where savings can come from, and gives options to reduce or increase spend by different amounts until the target of £10 million is reached.

There will also be options to increase income to fund services, including through council tax or fees, and information explaining the potential impact on services of the choices respondents make.

Council Leader, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “We all need and use council services.

"And the council will continue to deliver services that support day-to-day life, and the longer term future of Argyll and Bute.

"However years of multi-million pound funding cuts mean that we have to prioritise what we do.

"We are asking communities to tell us what their high level priorities are so that we can take them into account in the budget decisions we will have to make in February next year.

"This is all about working together to achieve the best outcomes we can for Argyll and Bute.”

The simulator will be open for responses until August 11, and the council will use its findings to develop options for setting its budget.

The simulator is available now on the council website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/budget-simulator.