Council job losses 'inevitable' in Wyre Forest amid further cuts
Job losses at Wyre Forest District Council are 'inevitable', leaders said today, as they look to make cuts of £2million over the next two years.
Public toilets, some council-run car parks and certain administration services could be axed as the authority struggles with ever tightening budgets.
Council tax could also rise by two per cent in each of the next two years under plans being discussed.
Today's stark warning comes as district council bosses grapple with a 15 per cent cut in grants from central government.
Wyre Forest District Council has already made cuts of £3.6m since 2010 but officials were rocked to learn overall budgets will fall from almost £13m to closer to £10m.
The authority today launched a public consultation to lay bare the circumstances the council is facing and allow residents to have their say on where money is spent.
Sixteen savings areas have been identified by council bosses in the consultaion document that went live online via www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/spending priorities today.
These include cutting costs by sharing more services and management jobs with neighbouring councils, axing subsidies on some services including sports pitches and raising more money for venues like Kidderminster Town Hall by letting space to private companies. The axe could also fall on some public toilet blocks with pubs and other community businesses asked if they could provide facilities at a rental charge.
Certain 'loss making' car parks such as Broad Street, in the Horsefair area of Kidderminster, could also sold off for development.
Events such as Kidderminster Art Festival and sporting activities may also bare the brunt of cuts with officials saying the authority may not longer be able to subsidise running costs.
Councillor Liz Davies said: "It is going to be difficult. This is the start of the process. We will not please everybody with the decision that we make. But the more information we can gain from the public the better."
