RESIDENTS across Bury are invited to attend a series of roadshows this month to find out how Bury Council plans to make additional budget savings of £8.7 million.

As well as presentations at the next round of township forum meetings, residents can attend one of four weekend or evening public meetings to learn about the council’s two-year Plan for Change programme.

The sessions will allow the public to provide comments and feedback as well as ask questions of both councillors and officers.

Cllr John Smith, cabinet member for corporate affairs, said: “The presentations at township forum meetings and the community roadshows are a great opportunity for members of the local community to come along and have their say on our savings proposals.”

Cllr Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for finance and resource, commented: “This is a really challenging time in local government. We now know we will need to save at least £26.5million by 2015 and this means we have to make some really tough decisions.

“A series of government funding changes has hit our budget, from business rates to council tax benefit, not to mention paying for another council tax freeze. This, and increasing demands for services, means we have to find a further £6.4 million in 2013/14 and £2.3 million in 2014/15”.

Meetings take place on the following dates: l Next Tuesday: Whitefield Township Forum, Elms Community Centre, at 1pm.

l Thursday, January 10: Radcliffe Township Forum, Radcliffe Civic Suite, at 6pm.

l Friday ,January 11: community roadshow, Elizabethan Suite, Bury Town Hall, at 6pm.

l Saturday, January 12: community roadshow, Ramsbottom Civic Hall, at 2pm.

l Sunday, January 13: community roadshow, Longfield Suite, Prestwich, at 11am.

l Thursday, January 17: Bury West Township Forum, Bolton Road Methodist Church, Bolton Road, at 7pm l Thursday, January 17: Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Township Forum, Christ Church, Walmersley, at 7pm l Sunday, January 20: community roadshow, Radcliffe Civic Suite, at 2pm.

l Monday, February 4: Prestwich Township Forum, Longfield Suite, at 6.30pm.

l Thursday, February 7: Bury East Township Forum, Freedom Church, at 7pm.

Consultation with Bury’s young people will take place via members of youth cabinet and a special event for business representatives will also take place in January. Business representatives are invited to email planforchange@bury.gov.uk to find out more about the event.

Find out more about the proposals at bury.gov.uk/plan forchange and take part in an online survey.