THE second of three public meetings about council tax takes place tonight.

Swindon Council is considering £10m of cuts to try to keep the council tax rise down and wants to hear residents' views on the proposals.

Residents at tonight's meeting, or another on Wednesday can let the council know what services they want to prioritise, where they think efficiency savings should be found and what level of council tax they would like to see.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town & Lawns) was disappointed with the attendance at the first meeting last Monday when less than a dozen members of the public turned out.

He announced an extra meeting, in addition to tonight's, for Wednesday and is also urging people to fill in questionnaires available from council offices or on the council website www.swindon.gov.uk where full details of the budget proposals can also be found.

The council is asking people whether they want a council tax increase of three per cent, which the Conservatives pledged to deliver at the last council elections, or one of 19.2 per cent, which the council says would be the result if none of the proposed savings were made.

A final decision on the budget and council tax rise for 2004/5 will be taken by the full council on February 10.

The meetings take place tonight from 6 to 7pm and on Wednesday from 7.30 to 8.30pm at the Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon.