A CASH-STRAPPED council has received more than 250 suggestions on how it can cut almost £14m from its budget next year.

Middlesbrough residents still have almost three weeks to submit their thoughts on how the council can save money.

Mayor Ray Mallon outlined 78 proposed cuts and changes to service provision at a meeting of Middlesbrough Council last month, and announced a six-week period of public consultation which ends on Friday, November 18.

Draft proposals range from the closure and disposal of council buildings and assets to increased charges, and staffing and management restructure, resulting in the loss of more than 120 jobs. The proposals add up to just over £10m towards the total of £13.8m that must be cut from the council's budget for the 2012-13 financial year.

Concern has been aired over proposals to close Clairville Stadium and Southlands Centre, the withdrawal of Dial-A-Ride and Shopmobility, and library closures.

The mayor said priority would be given to protecting the vulnerable, maintaining services such as street cleaning and bin collections, and supporting the town centre.

To submit views, visit the council website atmiddlesbrough.gov.uk/budget, email budget@middlesbrough.gov.uk or write to Budget Consultation Middlesbrough, PO Box 506, Strategic Resources, Middlesbrough Council, Civic Centre, TS1 9GA.