Express & Star

Cost of dying up among raft of cuts to hit Cannock

Burial plot costs will rise, town centre floral displays will go and funding for Christmas lights will stop under a raft of cost-saving plans unveiled by Cannock Chase Council.

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Finance bosses have come up with a list of savings as they aim to balance the council's books in the wake of the closure or Rugeley Power Station.

The proposals come following 'root and branch review' aimed at saving £1.6 million next year. The loss of the power station, which closed in June, has cost the council £2m in lost business rates.

Under the plans, £12,000 would be saved by no longer planting floral displays in Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford town centre and traffic islands. They would remain in parks, cemeteries and housing areas. A 20 per cent increase would be made to the cost of a grave and football pitch hire.

Other potential cuts include the previously reported axing of Christmas light displays around the district from winter 2017 to save £34,630.

The Citizens Advice Bureau would also be hit by the cuts. It would lose over £50,000 of the £136,890 it is given every year by the district council – despite over 6,000 people in Cannock Chase being helped by the charity last year and demand increasing by 20 per cent. Other victims include parish and community council, which will lose £78,000 worth of council tax

And Cannock Market Hall traders would be expected to pay three per cent more for their stalls – that has been described in the report as 'reasonable'.

As part of the plans the hall would open four days a week, an increase on the three days a week currently. Council officers hope these two measures will bring in £35,000 a year.

The proposals, which would come into play next year, are to be put out to the public for six-week consultation next week. Draft budget proposals will then be published in December.

Council leader Councillor George Adamson said: "I am determined that this process will be open, transparent and a genuine consultation on which options the council should select. I encourage everybody to get involved in this consultation and let us know your views."

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