NORTH East Lincolnshire Council has outlined how it plans to save almost £8 million next year – as well as a rise in council tax.
The proposals have been set out in the authority's draft budget for 2015-16 which will go before cabinet for approval today.
Also included is a plan to increase council tax by 1.98 per cent.
If approved, the draft document will be put out for public consultation, before the full council meets to set the budget on February 26.
The various council scrutiny committees will get an opportunity to quiz council bosses about the proposals – and suggest alternatives – in the coming weeks.
The Revenue Support Grant (RSG) which the council receives from central government has been cut by £12.255 million for 2015-16.
With an expected increase of £2 million in council tax income – due to the proposed hike – and an additional £340,000 of New Homes Bonus money – it means the authority's total funding will reduce by just under £10 million next year.
With projected revenue spending at £7 million more than total funding, the council is proposing to plug this gap by using money from its earmarked reserves.
Savings totalling £7.8 million have been identified for 2015-16. They include:
£2 million in adult social care efficiencies.
£1.5 million by reviewing the council's contract with its partner Cofely.
£700,000 through reviewing operational services.
£500,000 by charging for or stopping garden waste collections.
£500,000 by reviewing the council's parking strategy.
£300,000 through a senior organisational review.
£250,000 by pooling training budgets.
More details about these proposals are due to be published after today's cabinet meeting.
Council leader Chris Shaw, pictured, who has taken on the position of cabinet member for finance, following the departure of previous portfolio holder Darren Billard from the Labour group, said the financial settlement received from government was as expected.
He said finding savings from the council's budget had been an "annual challenge" for the past five years, when the cutbacks were first introduced.
He said the authority was focused on protecting services which were vital to residents as well as looking at ways of delivering other services in a more cost effective manner, adding: "We can't keep doing everything we have in the past."
Council chief executive Rob Walsh said the impact of the budget cuts would continue to be met by reductions in management and overhead costs as well as by seeking additional funding opportunities.
