Click the headline or link below to read the rest of this story.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has earmarked the ‘severance reserve’ as it prepares to make £15.2m in cuts.
Though jobs will be lost, the council said it “would not be witnessing the level of redundancies other councils had to implement this year”.
Cuts in staff hours will save £96,000 while bosses hope that “selling” more annual leave to employees will bring in £70,000.
Stationary savings of £25,000 are expected while paying 40p a mile for staff mileage instead of block payments for heavy usrs and 36.9p a mile for ‘casual users’ will save £347,000.
Unions have threatened strike action over the move.
The council this week passed its budget for the 12 months from April, including £15.2m in savings.
The service area that will get the biggest cut is children and young people at £4.1m.
The council is also proposing a major hike in OAP day centre fees.
This would scrap a £4.40 flat rate for transport, entry and a meal at the centres for £6.30 transport each way and £3 for meals.
Day centre costs would be means tested and it is thought could cost over £20 a time as part of the plan to save £278,000.
A council stattement said the budget “pledged to protect frontline services and those services to the most vulnerable in our society, with investments in adult social care and children’s services”.
It said there would not be a “wholesale staff redundancy programme, but conceded that there may inevitably be some job losses”.
Council leader councillor Ian Hedley, a Liberal Democrat said: “This has been one of the most difficult budgets that this Council has ever experienced.
“Our Government grant has been reduced by 14.3 per cent this year, taking £9.6m away from the residents of Solihull.
“I believe that we have delivered the best possible budget for the people of Solihull in very difficult circumstances.”
Labour leader Councillor Mick Corser said: “We have had to make unprecedented savings, and will see a tough time ahead this year.”
Cash is needed to “transform services in order to make long term change and savings” he said.
“But we have done our very best to protect frontline services for the people of Solihull.”
Conservative leader Councillor Ken Meeson said: “Solihull Council has a proud record of rising to every challenge and maintaining quality services whilst keeping our council tax low.
“We will work to encourage additional savings and do all we can to reduce the impact of the spending reductions on the most vulnerable in our community.”
The council tax bill for Solihull town, Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath will stay the same, £1,321 for a band D property. This will rise by 2.5 per cent, £33, in April 2012.
The Hockley Heath bill will fall as Hockley Heath Parish Council has cut its take of the bill by 2.32 per cent. This will reduce a band D bill from £1,415.22, to £1,382.44.
What do you think? Leave your comments below. No registration required.
Click here to get stories by email.
