New call for Shropshire public to air budget cuts views
Councillors have again urged the public to have their say over plans to cut more than £30 million from next year's budget.
Shropshire Council is currently running its 2015/16 budget consultation, which includes proposals to cut £5.2 million from adult services, and £3.8 million from children's services.
David Turner, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for resources, finance and support, said the authority is facing a double pressure of increased need for services and a reduction in Government funding.
He said: "As a result of substantial government funding reductions, we need to significantly reduce our budget and make unprecedented changes to our services.
"Over the next five years Shropshire Council is facing a budget shortfall of around £77m. Putting it simply, our income has fallen due to government cuts, whilst demand for our vital services that protect some of our most vulnerable has increased.
"We have identified some proposed savings for next year and we are currently running a short survey, separate to the Big Conversation, which details the areas where we have identified savings and the level of savings we feel could be achieved."
Measures proposed include transferring 75 people from residential care to support living – estimated to save around £900,000, and "re-sizing the workforce", which is planned to save £367,000.
Under the plans the council is also aiming to save around £1 million by re-negotiating a number of its existing contracts with companies it buys services from.
People wishing to take part in the budget consultation can visit Shropshire Council's Get Involved pages on its website. The deadline for responses is January 31, 2016.