County hall could slash another £11m from budget
COUNTY hall is to debate slashing a further £11million from their budget - with community police officers set for funding cuts.
Lancashire County Council’s (LCC) cabinet are considering a wide range of economies to take their total savings up to £81million for the financial year, including cuts to children and family services and community transport services.
But the council says its financial position remains ‘extremely challenging, with a forecasted funding gap of almost £49million in 2018/19, predicted to increase to £144million in 2021/22.
Members will meet on Thursday, January 18 to decide on whether to approve the proposals, which would see 17 county-funded Police and Community Support Officer roles cut by 2021 to save £265,000 - a predicted loss of eight officers.
The report to cabinet warns: “If funding is removed there is the possibility of low level crime and disorder escalating into more serious criminal activity, which has a higher community and public service costs associated.”
But Hyndburn local policing inspector Steve Rides told a council meeting last week: “There are no plans to reduce any PCSOs in Hyndburn at this time.
“There is a local policing review ongoing looking at the proportion of police officers and PCSOs and how many will make up the Hyndburn neighbourhood team going forward. That’s all based on demand on 999 calls etc.”
County council leader, Geoff Driver, said they were ‘committed’ to funding services people value, but more savings would be needed in the future to create a ‘financially stable’ authority. He said: “In common with every council in the country we are having to make difficult decisions about how we use our resources while ensuring the books are balanced.”
Another proposal to dry out non recyclable waste to cut landfill costs will create 13 new full time equivalent jobs and could save £1.2million.
Other budget cuts include:
£2.25million from the property repairs and maintenance budget.
£1.25million from children and family wellbeing service, including job cuts.
£1.19million from Special Guardianship Order payments cutting some payments to guardians.
£1.026m from the budget for learning, disability and autism residential reviews.
£336,000 from the youth offending team.
£450,000 from services for supporting carers of children and young people.
£391,000 from community transport, reducing Dial-a-Ride services.
£280,000 from library book and e and audio book funding.
£87,000 from discretionary concessionary travel, and increasing charges for elderly and disabled NoW card holders.
Anyone with a Now card travelling by bus before 9.30am will see fares doubled from 50p to £1.