Debt-ridden council announces £51.2m more savings

Cash-strapped Warrington Borough Council is planning more than £50m of extra cuts.

It is set to publish a report detailing a further £51.2m of savings which, alongside £39m of cuts previously identified by the authority in March, brings the total to about £90m.

This included ending funding for walking day, selling off assets, cutting street lighting and stopping free parking in the town centre.

The Labour administration said the cuts were aimed at "ensuring the council's future sustainability", but the Liberal Democrats said there was "little confidence" in the administration.

The new savings proposals will be discussed at the council's scrutiny committee on 7 September, before being considered for approval by cabinet and endorsement by full council.

The council's cabinet member for finance, councillor Denis Matthews, said the council faced a £179m funding gap up to 2030.

Matthew added: "The report sets out a number of proposals to make savings, and also details proposals that will require consultation. Seeking the views of our residents and partners will therefore be an important part of this process.

"The savings plan, which is subject to approval by cabinet and endorsement by full council, is a critical part of ensuring the council's future sustainability, but we know that we are faced with difficult decisions.

"Nevertheless, we remain ambitious and committed to providing the best possible services, within budget. This means ensuring that we continue to provide a good level of day-to-day services, while ensuring that our most vulnerable residents are still looked after and supported."

Liberal Democrat finance spokesman Ian Marks said cuts are already having an impact on people but stated "these are nothing compared to what will happen in the future".

"Cuts cover just about every service whether it be social care, highway maintenance, parks, public protection and enforcement, parking charges, libraries, community centres and many more.

"From our party briefing, we got the impression that most services are earmarked for a 25 per cent cut. We were given an exact number for the proposed savings but not the total cost for services which would have enabled us to work out the percentage cuts for ourselves.

"Given its poor track record, sadly we have little confidence that these proposed savings will be met by the council.

"Setting targets is easy, but coming up with timed action plans is another matter. Most plans are promised for the future and require more work, but wishful thinking is quite inadequate."

The scrutiny committee meeting will take place on 7 September, the cabinet meeting will take place on 9 September and the full council meeting will take place on 21 September.

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