Dudley Council has announced radical proposals to the way it delivers its services, and seeks to save £25 million from its budget.

These include a 3.9 percent rise in council tax, a remodelling of public health services and 170 job cuts. The proposals are in response to the £76 million reduction government funding since 2010.

At a meeting last night, Council leader Pete Lowe said these were difficult times and the council had to look at how they could deliver services more efficiently.

The authority says residents continue to pay one of the lowest rates of council tax in the country.