PEOPLE across the county are being invited to hear how Wiltshire Council will rise to the financial challenges of 2016 and into the future at a series of public meetings in October.

It is holding the meetings in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Salisbury to discuss the challenges ahead as it prepares for the next financial year.

It spends around £900m each year on more than 350 services, but changing demographics, rising inflation and reduction in funding from central government means substantial savings need to be made in next year’s budget and beyond.

The financial challenges are weighed against the council’s own priorities and the meetings will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges the council faces and hear the views of local people.

Leader Jane Scott said: “We are holding meetings to give our residents the opportunity to discuss the challenges we all face in the next few years, both financially but also in how we deliver services.

“Our main priorities continue to be supporting the most vulnerable, as well as taking action to boost the local economy, safeguarding and creating jobs and working with communities to help them be strong and resilient to do more for themselves.

“We do this against a backdrop of decreasing government funding. As a council we continue to explore innovative ways to find the necessary savings and deliver our services and we want to share this with residents and hear local views and suggestions for tackling these challenges.”

The Trowbridge meeting will take place at County Hall on October 20 from 5.30pm. To reserve a place email events@wiltshire.gov.uk