Free travel is facing the axe

Free peak-time bus travel for thousands of pensioners look set to be axed and up to 40 council staff could lose their jobs under latest Wyre Forest budget cuts.

But weekly bin collections could return to the district as part of the review. Wyre Forest District Council has announced it will peg this year's council tax rise at 2.5 per cent.

Council leaders also say they have had to do "careful juggling" with finances to protect frontline services.

A review of all services is being carried out to see whether reinstatement of a weekly, instead of fortnightly, bin collection is possible by streamlining the process.

The budget, which has to be approved by the council on February 25, will see an average Band D taxpayer facing an increase of £4.70-a-year on the district council's tax.

It has to be added to charges made by Worcestershire County Council, West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority as well as parish precepts.

As many as 20,000 pensioners who have taken up travel pass permits for bus journeys may only now be able to make their journeys off-peak.

Councillor Stephen Clee said: "We have to cut our cloth just like the private sector. We are not stopping the scheme but this move will also help ease the pressure on the service."

Wyre Forest District Council leader councillor John Campion said: "As far as redundancies are concerned we are looking at smarter ways of working. We are looking for about 30 to 40 voluntary and compulsory redundancies but are hoping this will be mainly voluntary."