City residents can now have their say on £20 million cuts set to hit council services in Newcastle next year — including major job losses, slashed library opening hours, and parking charge hikes for disabled drivers.
Newcastle City Council has opened a consultation into its latest budget cuts plans, which form the first stage of efforts to save £60 million by 2020.
The proposals, revealed earlier this month, could also see residents hit with a 3.95% rise in their council tax bills next year, including a 1% Adult Social Care Precept .
Labour council leader Nick Forbes told a cabinet meeting on Monday night that local councils are facing “unprecedented” financial hardship which has forced civic centre bosses in Newcastle to take “very difficult decisions”.
If approved by the council next March, the latest round of cuts could result in disabled Blue Badge holders being charged for parking in multi-storeys and off-street car parks, while the Shopmobility service will be reduced to three days a week from the current six.
The city’s Lib Dem opposition have said that the cuts will hit some of Newcastle’s most vulnerable residents, and that they were “absolutely shocked” by the proposals.
There are also plans to shut the City Library at 5pm three days per week and not open on Sundays, while the Discovery Museum and Laing Art Gallery would no longer open on five Bank Holidays.
Council bosses are also set to begin enforcing a previously agreed policy to charge residents to replace their damaged or stolen wheelie bins.
Over the next three years, the council expects to cut around 100 jobs — 40 of which are expected to go in 2019/20.
The council has also pledged to find £22.4 million of savings in adult social care by 2022, largely by integrating its services with the local NHS.
Coun Forbes said: “Although the Prime Minister has announced the end of austerity the Government is still making huge cuts to local government.
“Some councils have already gone bust but Newcastle took a long hard look into the future and confronted the painful decisions. This has put us in a sound financial position.
“However, due to the continuation of austerity we have more painful decisions that must be taken to set a balanced budget. We do not have all the answers so are keen to consult with residents, businesses and partners for ideas that they may have.
“This willingness to listen has helped us save many facilities across the city over the years and I am confident Newcastle will have a bright future if we continue to work together. I would urge people to take part in our consultation.”
To generate extra income the council plans to rent out more office space in the tower block section of the Civic Centre, increase council tax on empty properties, and sell more advertising including bridge banners and large digital adverts.
However, care leavers will be made exempt from paying council tax up to the age of 25.
The public has until January 6 to tell the council what it thinks of the plans, by visiting newcastle.gov.uk/budget to complete either a survey or the council’s budget simulator.
