Protect services and prevent cuts, say councillors at cash-strapped Dudley Council

They were speaking after the authority's cabinet backed budget proposals for 2015/16 at a meeting this week.

But while council tax has been frozen for another year there are plans to cut free transport for children with special needs and close two centres supporting youngsters.

Some councillors said they were also concerned about proposed cuts to general maintenance - especially in regards gutters around the borough.

Conservative leader councillor Patrick Harley told the meeting: "We all know there are difficult decisions to be made and the government is cutting the amount funding councils receive.

"My concern is that this budget is like so many others. We have to find a way to be different.

"The council has to look at creating new revenue streams, new ways of bringing in money."

He suggested the authority should look into 'commercialising' some of its services - taking part in construction and environmental projects.

"We could complete on some small level with the private sector and the money made on these projects could be ploughed back into services.

"It would prevent some of the harder cuts."

Councillor Bob James said he was concerned about cuts to general maintenance - especially drainage.

"With the monsoon-like conditions we now get this could lead to problems," he said.

Councillor Peter Miller said he was also concerned about the short amount of time between the meeting and when the budget was finally agreed before the full council.

Speaking after the meeting, UKIP councillor Paul Brothwood said he believed the budget targeted 'vulnerable' members of the community.

"The authority should look at options such as reducing the allowance of members rather than cutting free transport for children with special needs," he said.

The budge proposals will be agreed at a full meeting of the authority on Monday (2).

The council is proposing savings of £22.9m for 2015/16, moving up to £25.3m by 2016/17 and £27.4m by 2017/18.

As a result of the council tax freeze, the rate for a band D property will remain at £1,125 a year.

But charges from the Fire Authority and Police and Crime Commissioner are set to rise by almost two per cent, meaning the total outlay for band D property would climb slightly to £1,286 a year.

Plans to close children's centres at St Margaret's at Hasbury Church of England Primary School in Halesowen and Quarry Bank Primary School have been met by protests from residents.