Hertsmere Borough Council is going to use residents' opinions to guide its financial planning.

The council held a ‘participatory budgeting exercise' last summer with a selection of the borough’s residents.

Residents were asked to choose their preferred options about different services. Collectively, it is estimated that these options will create savings of almost £350,000.

Councillor Morris Bright, leader of the council, said all local authorities continue to face tough financial decisions.

He said: "The participatory budgeting exercise gave us valuable information about what services the participants want to see protected.

"A clear message from residents is that they want us to continue to support Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as well as maintaining our green waste and recycling collections throughout the year. We are committed to continuing these services, so these will not change.

"However there are other services that we are looking to change - by seeing if we can run them more efficiently or by increasing income.

"Residents said they would be prepared to see a small increase in on and off-street parking in the borough, generating additional income.

"Part of this additional income would be used for capital spending to improve and re-invest in the council-owned car parks and also to protect other council services."