Mark Whitehead 10 October 2018

Northants confirms £65m cuts package

Crisis-hit Northamptonshire County Council has confirmed a £65m cuts package aimed at tackling a huge shortfall in its finances.

But councillors warned it carried 'serious risks' and said they would have to continue looking for further savings.

They backed the 'stabilisation plan' which will include an increase in council tax and cuts in agency staff and highways services to save £20m this year and a further £45m next year.

Commissioners were appointed in May to oversee the authority to help the Tory-run council balance its books.

Cabinet member for finance Malcolm Longley told a packed public gallery: 'It's a step in the right direction, but admittedly with some caveats and serious risks.'

Labour councillor Mick Scrimshaw warned: 'I'm deeply worried by the stabilisation plan. We are halfway through the financial year. There's not enough detail to give us confidence that these savings will be achieved.'

Council leader Matt Golby added though that there was a ‘constant need to look for further savings’.

He said: 'We are doing as much as we can and this plan does need a set of business plans behind them.

'We are dealing with an incredibly challenging set of circumstances. It's up to us to own this plan as well as the councillors and staff. I fully support it with the caveat that we need to keep coming up with new ideas to get us into a better place.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Years Sector Lead (Apprenticeships & Workbased Learning)

Essex County Council
£42177.0000 - £49620.0000 per annum
Early Years Sector Lead (Apprenticeships & Workbased Learning)Permanent, Full Time£42,177 to £49,620 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Team Manager - Children in Care, Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£55892.00 - £69241.00 per annum
Team Manager - Children in Care, Mid EssexFixed Term, Full Time£55,892 to £69,241 Per Annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Emergency Duty Service Out of Hours Advisor

Essex County Council
Up to £28621.00 per annum
Emergency Duty Service Out of Hours AdvisorPermanent, Part Time£28,621 per annum pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Business Development Manager

North Yorkshire Council
£42,839 - £47,181 per annum
NYES is a leader in delivering high-quality traded services predominantly into the Education sector. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Support Worker x2

Wakefield Council
Grade 6 SCP 12 £16,617.76 - SCP 18 £18,325.55 pro rata
Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner