PEOPLE on the Welsh side of the Wye will be able to air their views on cuts to council services.

Monmouthshire Council's Cabinet agreed the proposed budget for next year on the back of a £9 million cut in the funding from the Welsh Government.

Charges for some free services – such as the use of saunas – at leisure centres in Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth could be introduced and money could also be saved by reducing cleaning costs and introducing volunteers at the centres.

There could also be a reduction in funding for cultural services such as museums and "consolidation" of tourist information centres and attractions.

Spending on education would be protected and social services funding would be increased with the assumption that Council Tax will be increased by three per cent.

People can give their views on the proposals at Caldicot School on Thursday, January 9, Caldicot town centre on Saturday January 11, Chepstow School on Tuesday, January 14 and Monmouth Comprehensive School on Monday, January 20.

The evening meeting will all be between 6.30pm and 8.30pm and the town centre event will be between 10am and 3pm.

The consultation period will end on January 31 and consultation responses will be considered by Cabinet before the final budget proposals are presented to them on February 12, with a recommendation to full council to set Council Tax on February 27.

Cllr Phil Murphy, the Cabinet member with responsibility for finance, said: "Our principle throughout this budget process has been to ask how we can maintain existing services, rather than asking which ones we should cut.

"The proposed savings include better targeting of road gritting, considering consolidating tourist information and cultural attractions, switching off streetlights in certain areas between midnight and 5am, further reducing our office accommodation, reviewing overtime arrangements and creating a cost neutral waste collection service.

"We are also looking to make efficiencies in social care services and education, although front line funding will be protected."