Southampton City Council has warned 182 jobs are at risk as it tries to plug a funding shortfall of £39.1m by 2016/17.

The council has launched a public consultation on the budget proposals, which outline savings of £13m by 2016/17. This includes the loss of more than 150 full-time council jobs, the deletion of 31 vacant posts, and a council tax increase of 1.99%.

The proposals are in addition to the £9.4m savings identified earlier this year, and the council warned it will need to find an extra £12m to balance its budget in February 2016.

Cllr Mark Chaloner, the council’s cabinet member for resources, said: ‘The council is facing its biggest ever financial challenge, and we need to make significant savings in the next budget and in the years to come. The ongoing cuts to the funding we receive from central government leave us with no choice but to look at stopping or reducing services, or delivering services in alternative ways.

‘However, we remain committed to protecting vulnerable people and the city’s most needed public services. We are working hard to generate income, work with our partners, find internal and external efficiencies and transform so that we are fit for the future.’