Time is running out for people to have their say on how St Edmundsbury Borough Council makes £1.5million of savings in the next financial year.

Residents have until the end of Friday to make their own suggestions, and to comment on a range of ideas put forward by the council.

A random 3,000 people across the St Edmundsbury area received a postal questionnaire. Those who have not completed and returned the survey are being asked to do so within the next few days.

John Griffiths, leader of the council, said: “We have already made savings of £3.5m per year by joining up our services with Forest Heath.

“However, there will be less money available to St Edmundsbury next year and we still need to reduce our budget for 2015/16 by a further £1.5m.

“None of us wish to see valued services disappear, or compromise on their quality, but we have to look at new and even better ways of delivering them while raising money or cutting costs further, or both.

“The consultation does ask some specific questions but no decisions have been, or will be, taken until our residents have been given the opportunity to comment on them or come up with their own suggestions.

“We are keen to ensure that any potential savings are considered carefully and that there are no nasty surprises.”

The consultation responses will be taken into account during the autumn budget-setting process, with the final budget set in February 2015.

Anybody who has not received a questionnaire, can take part in the consultation online at: www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/budgetsurvey2014.

Those with no internet access at home can complete the online consultation at the council’s offices in West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds or Haverhill House, Haverhill.

Mr Griffiths urged residents: “Please take the time to take part in this budget consultation.”