A PUBLIC consultation on Rossendale Council’s future budget has been announced.

The authority is seeking views on setting the 2014/15 net budget expenditure, in line with available financial resources.

In October, members were presented with an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy, which indicated the financial gap for 2014/15 between the estimated budget requirement and estimated budget resources was £146,000.

A council spokesman said: “As part of the budget and financial strategy challenge, the council has commenced a separate consultation process in relation to grants to outside bodies, and council tax discounts on long-term empty properties and second homes.”

Coun Patrick Marriott said: “We know that funding for Rossendale is being cut even more in the future. The council can’t just take it one year at a time. Hard choices have to be made now to help balance the books down the line.”

The consultation, available on the council’s website, closes on January 31.