Council Budget: First Cuts May Not Be The Deepest

OVER A YEAR ago, Labour leader John Kent commented on the Tory Budget proposals. His simple statement was that it was: “Simply not sustainable”.

John’s statement had echoed that of a Senior Finance Officer two years ago, who, according to sources, believed that another year of minimal council tax rises plus other factors would lead to a “tsunami of cuts some time around 2010”.

In May, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced public spending reductions of £6.2 billion to take effect in the current financial year.

At least £4 million of promised Government grant funding for the current financial year has been withdrawn.

This means spending reductions of at least £4 million, and possibly more, will be required in Thurrock this financial year.

The cuts in the 2011/12 financial year are likely to be in the region of £14 million to £16 million.

Next wednesday, Council Leader, John Kent will present his budget proposals to his Cabinet.

A week later, he will attempt to get the whole budget through full council.

For your benefit and as a matter of clarity,here are some of the proposed cuts.

Among the “highlights” are the (proposed) closure of Chafford Hundred Library; total withdrawl of council funding for Community Forums; 43 jobs to go within Learning and Universal Outcomes Service and ten social work jobs to go as well.

Plus: Ten Parks will close, damaged street lights may not be replaced, a raft of care services plus much more.

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Corporate Solicitor

Senior Democratic Officer

Freeze on all recruitment

Not Recruiting: Projected Savings in Brackets

Specialist BME HIV/AIDS worker (£39k)

Crisis Support and Intervention Team: 4 posts (currently vacant) (£80k)

Learning Disability Community Living Team: £80k

Cuts To Adult Social Care

Assistive Technology Budget in vulnerable residents homes: 23k

Extra Care Housing: 20k

Social Care Reform Grant: 80k

Social Care Reform Grant: 100k

Carers Grant: 59K

Budget

£117,000 off Community Cohesion
inc.

Residents Information Pack
Vox-pop at T-Fest
Facebook Project
Thurrock Heritage Month

Community Forums

Total withdrawl of all funding from council £47k. This would leave the 100k from Vertex.

Chafford Hundred Library

Four jobs to go with projected savings of 10k

Housing General Fund within CWB for grounds maintenance work to greens where owner occupiers receive benefits:157k

Social Work Posts

10 posts to go: 250k

Staff within the Learning and Universal outcomes:

43 posts to go

Reduction in services for:

ASB Co-ordinator
DAAT
Domestic Abuse

Miscellaneous

Speed Cameras Not Being Maintained: 74k

Cleaning Streets: 75k

Parks Unlocked: 10k

Street Lights: 100k  (Some lights turned off, broken and damaged colums not replaced)

Grays Beach Park Facilities: .5k

Ten Parks Closed: (Ten Most High Maintenance)

Staff Training 100k..

Investment in ICT: 150k

In the meantime all Thurrock Council officers have been instructed to:

1.Minimise/avoid agency/temporary/consultancy costs.

2. Assume the need to terminate all Interims, Agency Staff and Temps

3. Further policy choices for achieving savings.

4. No attendance at external conferences and seminars.

5. No expenditure on hospitality at internal meetings

6. No expenditure on external venues.

7. No expenditure on printed publications.

8. Reduce/stop producing internal posters

9. No spend on overtime

10. Non-essential taxi’s