NEWPORT City Council's vision for the next four year makes it abundantly clear that we are about to enter yet another period of difficult decisions and potentially painful cuts.

In an 18-page document 'A Prospectus for Change' the council sets out the unprecedented challenge the authority is facing in having to cut 14 per cent from its current budget by the year 2017.

That is approximately £35m which will have to be found between now and then.

And given that this comes on the back of significant savings already made, it now appears certain that there can be no more tinkering around the edges.

We will start to see wholesale change in the way many services are run. Newport City Council of 2017 will look very different to how it looks today. That is without doubt.

Job losses will be inevitable, the number of council-owned buildings will be reduced and the council will increasingly look to form partnerships with other organisations to provide services.

What is commendable is that the council is actively seeking public engagement in the debate from the outset. And we do welcome this transparency.

The publication of this document sets the scene, opens the conversation and putsany ensuing budget decisions into context.

What is needed now is for as many Newport residents as possible to get involved in the debate to ensure the decisions made are the right ones.