MORE than 700 people responded to a budget consultation held by Herefordshire Council.

The results will help the council develop budget proposals for 2014/15 as well as the proposed medium term financial strategy.

Off the back of the consultation it has said there will be no council tax referendum on a five per cent rise.

The council will also change the council tax reduction scheme which will see working age claimants paying more of their bill themselves.

It will also reduce the cost of its library service from April 2015.

“It is well known that we are facing significant reductions in our government funding and yet it is imperative that we still deliver our priorities of keeping children and young people safe and giving them the best start in life, enabling residents to live safe, healthy and independent lives and investing in projects to improve roads, create jobs and build more homes," said Councillor Tony Johnson, leader of Herefordshire Council.

“The recent budget consultation provided a number of detailed suggestions for ways in which we can deliver services differently and more cost effectively and we will be considering these over the coming months."