BARROW residents face a budget riddle as they are asked whether they want a council tax rise or cuts to services. Town hall bosses are planning the 2020-21 budget and will launch a public consultation before making a decision in February next year. Yet the choice remains stark – an extra 2.99 per cent on the council’s share of bills, or cuts to services it provides. Residents will also be asked for ideas about how the council might generate more money to help fund what it does. This could spell rises in fees or raising charges at council-owned car parks. The Labour-run council has had to keep running despite losing £7.9 million since 2010 when the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition cut town hall grants. Residents will be asked which services are important and where savings could be found. A report by Susan Roberts, the director of resources, will discuss the consultation at a meeting next week of the executive committee chaired by Cllr Derek Brook, the Labour member for Ormsgill. The draft consultation reads: “We would like to hear your views about the services that are important to you. Which services could be a focus for generating further savings or additional income; whether you agree that the borough council element of the council tax is increased and if not which services should be reduced in your opinion.” In line with others, Barrow is looking at a council tax increase of 2.99 per cent after overseeing a decade of efficiencies, job losses and budget savings. For a Band A property, residents across Barrow, Dalton, Askam, Walney and Lindal would pay £4.69 extra a year or 9p a week more for Barrow Council. But council tax bills also go towards funding Cumbria County Council, local parish councils and the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner.  They too could impose similar rises – meaning bills would be much higher. The county council is consulting on a 3.99 per cent rise in its share. Barrow council’s services include housing, cemeteries and the crematorium, environmental health, the markets, off-street car parks, parks and playgrounds. It also foots the bills for services outsourced to private sector companies, such as FCC Environment, which has held the controversial refuse collection contract.