£8m savings earmarked for 2017 budget

tions and burials in Runcorn and Widnes by £50 each so that the services cost £700 and £750 respectively.

A review of the borough’s library services to make further efficiency savings is estimated to cut £100,000.

Council tax discounts are also earmarked to no longer be available for unoccupied and unfurnished properties for up to 22 weeks, as well as homes undergoing ‘major repair or structural alterations’ which would make them uninhabitable up to a year.

The appendix also said that the council’s advertising budget could fall by 15% while extra funds could be generated by increasing pre-application planning fees.

Nearly £250,000 is predicted to be saved through reducing energy costs and maintenance of the borough’s street lights after LED lanterns were introduced.

The remaining £7,000 in the budget for architectural floodlighting for the for Silver Jubilee Bridge also recommended deletion.

A review is also planned in the staffing structure of two areas, which could also save more than £300,000 between them next year.

Money is also due to be saved through several vacant posts in different council departments not being filled.

The report said: “The Government will announce its grant settlement for local government in late December. is for

“However, in announcing the 2016-17 grant settlement the Government provided indicative figures for 2017-18 to 201920 upon which the MTFS has been based.

“The council has also accepted the Government’s four-year grant settlement offer, which should ensure that the council will receive no less than the indicative grant figures for each year.

“Therefore, it is not expected that the forecast budget gap of £33m will change significantly.”