RATEPAYERS face an inflation-busting six per cent rise in council tax plus £1 million of cuts.

The rise would leave no cash to improve services, unless residents were to sanction an even steeper increase.

However, the good news is that education is set to receive a boost of £700,000.

The figures were revealed to the public at a series of budget roadshows, with final decisions to be made next month.

Mike Owen, chief financial services officer, described the budget options as a "starting point". For the first time, people were asked to fill in a two-part questionnaire, before and after his presentation.

A six per cent increase would force bills for Band D houses up by £54 to £965. Band A bills would rise £36 to £643. Mr Owen said: "Those who will feel it most are just above the benefit level." Savings of £1 million are being drawn up, which the Bury Times understands may be used to meet a possible large overspend in social services.

Mr Owen told Whitefield and Unsworth area board that Bury's financial deal this coming year was a "tight settlement". He encouraged people to fill in the survey stating where they would like to see the money spent and saved.

He said: "Where would YOU make the £1m savings? We are not asking you to do our jobs but it is not our money. It is your money. It would take me ten minutes to settle the budget, I could sit down with Councillor Derek Boden (executive member for resources) tonight and thrash it out. But that is not democracy."

Mr Owen presented a number of choices for people to consider. They could:

accept a six per cent rise and make the £1 million savings

increase council tax by even more, meaning no cuts and maybe more to spend on extra services

increase the tax by less than six per cent, but have to find more savings. Every one per cent less on council tax will mean £500,000 in cuts

The budget roadshow was also seen at area boards in Prestwich, Bury East and Bury West this week. Residents in Ramsbottom, Tottington and Radcliffe will get their chance to comment at meetings next week.

Final decisions will be made next month.