The Leader of Swansea Council has repeated his warning that cuts to jobs and services are inevitable this year.
The Council’s Cabinet is currently considering options to achieve budget savings of around £15 million during 2010/11.
It follows a tough budget settlement from the Welsh Assembly, unavoidable spending increases in areas such as social services and reduced income in areas including car parks and rents during the on-going recession.
Cllr Chris Holley said, “This is the most difficult budget this Council has ever faced. All councils are in the same boat due to the squeeze on public finances and the impact of the recession.
“I am not scaremongering. I am trying to prepare the people of Swansea for the inevitable cuts that will be coming.
“It goes without saying that you can’t reduce spending by £15 million and still carry on in exactly the same way as before.
“It is going to be tough for council staff, some of whom will lose their jobs, and it will be tough for residents who will see some services cut altogether and significant changes to other services.”
Cllr Holley said the Council’s priority would be to protect front-line services.
“We have tough choices to make, but our over-riding aim has to be to protect vital front-line services as much as we can. Trade Unions have been working with us for many months now, since we all face this position with the same objectives in mind. In order to avoid compulsory redundancies as much as possible, we have sought to freeze vacancies where possible.
“Due the economic conditions and public finances, we are expecting difficult budgets for the foreseeable future so making these tough choices now is the only option open to us.”
A report on the Council’s proposed budget is due to be discussed by councillors in February.
