More job cuts may be on cards at Telford & Wrekin Council
Further job losses could still be on the agenda at Telford & Wrekin Council – despite better than expected savings being made over the past financial year.
The warning has been made by Councillor Lee Carter, the authority's new cabinet member for finance. He said "everything was on the table" in terms of finding ways to make a further £35 million worth of cuts over the next three years.
But he pledged axing jobs would only be a last resort.
Speaking ahead of next week's first meeting of the council's new ruling cabinet, Councillor Carter said the authority had made savings of £17 million in 2014/15.
That is on top of £53 million worth of cuts in the previous five years.
He said the end of year figures showed an underspend of £1.15 illion – cash which will be reinvested into public services such as adult social care as well as being used to tackle youth unemployment.
But the finance chief warned there were tough challenges ahead. He said: "The council has continued its strong financial management despite the most difficult circumstances.
"It allows us to offer some short-term protection from deeper cuts in adult social care and children in care as well as investing in some one-off priorities, particularly focussing on improving the borough's environment and building on our success in tackling youth unemployment.
"This puts us in a better position than many other councils for the very tough times that lie ahead.
"The depth and scale of expected further Government cuts can only mean much deeper cuts to services over the next three years.
"Cutting jobs is always a last resort, but nothing is off the table. It is inevitable that tough choices lie ahead and we will want to consult with the community later this year as further options for the necessary cuts are developed."
