A CASH-STRAPPED local authority is turning to residents for ideas on how it should bridge a £45m gap in its next budget.

Wirral Council is offering members of the public the chance to set their own budget including council tax in an online simulator, as well as asking what top priorities should be, from job creation to rubbish collection to reducing crime.

Links to the two apps are on the council’s Wirral View website.

The website reads: “In November 2018, Wirral Council’s Cabinet put forward a budget proposal to bridge a £45m budget gap for the coming financial year.

“Residents are being encouraged to give their views and suggestions on the council budget.”

Last month, the council revealed it had to find savings of £45m, with residents facing an “assumed increase” of 2.99% in council tax in 2019/20.

The authority also said there would be a £1.5m cut from funding for senior council management, and that it would encourage more investment and regeneration in Wirral.

A final decision on the budget will be made in March next year.