DO you want your Council Tax bill to rise by five, eight or 12.5% this year?

That's the unappetising question being asked to Pembrokeshire residents as the county council looks to tackle a funding black hole which now sits at £16.9m.

Cllr Bob Kilmister, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Having delivered savings of £42.6m during the past four years, further cost reductions are becoming increasingly difficult to find without affecting core services like Education and Social Care.

“To date, we have identified £11.2m of proposed cost reductions, efficiencies and service transformations to be delivered within the financial year 2018–19.

“We welcome the views on these proposals, together with the three possible rates of increase for Council Tax for 2018–19.

“All options will result in some level of reduction in current service provision but we would like to gain an understanding of what householders would find most acceptable.”

The three possible rates of increase for Council Tax for 2018–19 are: · 12.5%, which will generate an estimated £5.7 million · 8% which will generate an estimated £3.6 million · or 5% which will generate an estimated £2.2 million.

A 5% increase will leave an additional £3.5 million pounds worth of cost reductions, efficiencies, service transformations to be identified.

An 8% increase will leave an additional £2.1 million pounds to be identified.

To take part in the consultation and find further information, see pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Alternatively, call the council’s contact centre on 01437 764551 to request hard copy documents.

The closing date for responses is Friday February 16.

Responses will be compiled into a report to be considered by Council at its meeting on March 8, at which a final decision will be made.