Residents across the district will be asked for frank views on Council services - and how they want their Council Tax to be spent.

The Council's Executive Committee agreed to begin a major consultation exercise in October to find out what the public really want. The consultation will be carried out through questionnaires, area conferences to be arranged by the Council and debates at neighbourhood forums.

The survey will cost £100,000 and a similar amount will now be set aside in the budget each year to meet the cost of customer consultation. Members also agreed a new system of budget planning which will focus on the authority's key priorities so it delivers the services people want.

The Council is currently in the second year of a three-year financial strategy which includes a commitment to redirect a total of £11m to schools. But members say the Council's budget should also be a 'people's plan' and based on consultation.

Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "The Council is here to serve the local community and we have a duty, both as members and officers, to ensure that we are providing the services people actually want and they are happy with the way in which they are delivered."

Executive member for the economy Councillor Simon Cooke said: "Sometimes customers are not that impressed with our standard of service and need to tell us about it."

The committee also approved the introduction of a managed early retirement scheme which allows the Council more freedom to implement agreed changes. A panel, made up of the directors of human resources, finance and legal democratic services will now be set up to manage it.

l The committee agreed to plough £350,000 a year over three years to set up traffic calming measures in the district's villages.

Some 50 villages are earmarked for schemes including road humps, traffic management and mini roundabouts.