Mobile: 0794 120 1995
Cuts, cuts and more cuts.
WC has unveiled its proposals for how it plans to rise to the challenge of saving £30 million over the next year.
The first meetings take place this week where people are encouraged to give their views on the challenges the council faces. Tonight's is in Trowbridge.
WC currently spend around £900 million each year on more than 350 services. Changing demographics, such as people living longer coupled with inflation and further cuts in funding from central government means WC has to find more savings.
Last year WC received £119 million from the Government – this year it will get £103.8 million. This cut of more than £15 million, combined with the rise in demand for some key front line services and inflation costs, means WC will need to find a further £30 million of savings this coming financial year.
WC has identified more than 100 areas where savings can be made. These include charging for garden waste collections; finding office efficiencies in support services; encouraging efficiencies in voluntary sector services; changing street lighting times and reviewing the Household Recycling Centres’ opening times.
More details can be found in the Budget papers, which are now available online.
The budget will be discussed and agreed at full council meeting on 24 February 2015.