Proposed Cuts in Council Services

5.14.00pm GMT Tue 19th Jan 2010

Vital services could be under threat from budget cuts

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has issued a series of press releases outlining the options for service reductions during the next financial year in order to balance the books.

The press releases are to be found on the council's website www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk and are likely to be in the local Guardian next week. The agenda of the next meeting of each policy committee (Environment, Leisure, Social and Strategy & Resources) will consider the financial plans - again, all are on the council's website.

All four policy committees are having to consider some controversial issues such as closing and possibly demolishing Cox Lane Day Centre, turfing over flower beds in parks, reducing staff at the Bourne Hall Museum and charging disabled drivers to park.

For many years the Lib Dems have called for a reduction in the Mayoral expenses and the associated transport costs and this is presented as one of the options, as is a pay freeze for staff. Councillors took a small reduction in their allowances during 2009/10.

Local Lib Dems are arguing for greater income generation and commercialisation as an alternative to further cutbacks.