Council budget simulator online

An online "budget simulator" which gives the public the ability to make virtual decisions on how council tax should be spent has gone live.

The internet tool will allow people in Cumbria to say in which areas of its budget the county council should spend and save.

The authority said it would use the input when deciding its 2009/10 budget and council tax rates.

Opinions on old people's homes and fire services are being sought.

As well as the online simulator, the county council said it would conduct the same exercise during face-to-face public consultation exercises in all six districts.

The simulator asks users what cuts in services they would find unacceptable and how money should be spent.