Lincolnshire seeks 62 per cent savings from children's services
Janaki Mahadevan
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Lincolnshire County Council is considering cuts of up to 62 per cent to children's services with youth services and Connexions likely to take the biggest hit.
In proposals first put before councillors before Christmas savings of 16 per cent will need to be made to what the council calls its universal services, which include school transport services, early years provision and children’s centres. Targeted children’s services, which include school improvement, youth and Connexions services, will be expected to make savings of 62 per cent.
The proposed measures are part of steps to save the authority £125m over the next four years.
The council said it has prioritised public safety issues that include safeguarding children in the proposals.
Leader of the council Martin Hill said: "The council’s total income will reduce and our spending must reduce accordingly. The budget looks at proposing savings based on decisions about which services we believe are essential and which, while desirable, could be reduced, delivered in a different way or stopped.
"Public safety is a particular priority and the budget proposes to protect funding in areas including safeguarding children, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, PCSOs, gritting roads and highways maintenance."
The council’s executive will make its final decision on the budget on 1 February.