Libraries, theatres, public transport, road maintenance, road safety, vulnerable young people and disabled children to bear the brunt of proposed council cuts

THE full extent of £11m worth of proposed West Berkshire Council cuts has been outlined - with £3m slashed from front line services including libraries, theatres, public transport, road maintenance, road safety, care for vulnerable young people and support for disabled children.
The Conservative controlled council is looking to save £8m by internal efficiencies and 26 job cuts next year as it looks to combat a reduction in grants from central government.
But funding for tourism will be completely cut from the budget, meaning the Tourist Information Centre in Newbury faces closure unless the town council foots the bill. Funding for school crossing patrols and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has also been cut.
West Berkshire Council leader Gordon Lundie defended the proposed cuts, but admitted they would not be popular.
He said: ”Out of the £11m we need to save, £8m, or 75 per cent, of that is coming internally, which I think is a fair balance.
“We understand that a lot of people are going to be upset by these proposals - as they would be with any reductions - and that is why we are giving people the chance to have their say on how it will directly affect them.”
However, the council’s Liberal Democrat leader, Jeff Brooks said:“This is the most severe set of cuts I have seen in my 22 years as a councillor. It is hitting everybody - the young, the old, the disabled. It is an absolute shambles.”
Te council is also looking at introducing weekday parking charges on a Sunday in its car parks and charging for using public toilets in Newbury town centre.
The proposals would also see seven libraries across the district have their opening hours reduced.
Among the worst hit areas will be theatres, with the Corn Exchange receiving news its funding is set to be almost halved on its 20th anniversary year.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News this week, its General manager, Katy Griffiths, said it could have disastrous impact on its future.
”It is a very challenging situation. The reduction of almost 50 per cent of our funding would put at risk our ability to deliver for the arts locally.”
She added that a reduction in local authority funding would have a knock-on impact in terms of funding from other partners.
The council will also look to increase fares and assess routes on some of the 29 bus services that it currently subsidises.
West Berkshire Council, which saved £5m last year, raised council tax by two per cent in 2013/14, but promised there will be no further rises for the next two years.
The public now have until December 13 to give their feedback. For full details and reactions, see today's Newbury Weekly News.