Telford & Wrekin Council bosses today revealed how they aim to narrow a £13 million savings gap – which includes making £1 million of savings in local NHS services.

The council had already put forward £9.3 million of savings proposals for 2013/14 in March, when its budget proposals for the current year were agreed. However, current projections show this is still £3.7m short of what is needed.

The council needs to find savings of £40 million by 2014 and officials say they are facing ‘a very difficult challenge’.

A report has now been drawn up which will be considered at the council’s cabinet meeting on Thursday which has identified how to make the savings.

Proposals include more than £800,000 from further efficiency measures and £1 million from NHS Telford & Wrekin to help fund a shortfall in the council’s bill for continuing healthcare, services typically provided to the borough’s growing older population.

Other proposals include improving procurement of services it buys. Savings will also continue to be made by increasing income for some services and targeted restructuring of staff.

The council says it will also save money by centralising staff at the new Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre and in Telford Town Centre in Darby House and Addenbrooke House, a former tax office office, which is due to open next year.

This has allowed the council to sell off smaller properties. The report says these initiatives together are expected to meet the £3.7m savings gap target.

Councillor Bill McClements, cabinet member for resources and service delivery, said: “After three years of the biggest cuts ever in local government grant which have taken £30 million from our budget, the scale of savings we still have to find mean an impact on services and staff is sadly inevitable.”

By Pam Griffin