Council budget reveals extra savings (From The Argus)

Council budget reveals extra savings

1:02pm Saturday 19th January 2013 in News By Neil Vowles

A council is to make almost £7 million more savings in one year than originally targeted.

West Sussex County Council expects to make £26.4 million savings in its proposed budget for 2013/14, which is 35% more than the authority’s original three-year plan outlined.

Opposition councillors have criticised the political use of the council’s reserves with an election looming and said the council’s budget failed to address the biggest concern for residents at the moment – potholes.

There have also been calls for the extra savings to be redirected to lessen the cutting, withdrawing or outsourcing of frontline services.

The authority said that £8.9 million extra savings have been found through improved efficiency and running costs and did not represent any new reductions to frontline services.

Because of the extra savings and local authorities taking on responsibilities from NHS trusts, the council is proposing that £2 million of previously agreed savings from public health will not go ahead.

Residents are also set to see their council tax frozen for a third consecutive year which will net the authority £7.7 million in Government grants over the next two years.

For the full story see The Argus.