Council's draft cuts plan agreed

The council says it must save �85m one way or another

Millions of pounds in cuts that leave hundreds of jobs under threat at Nottinghamshire County Council have been agreed in a draft budget.

The ruling Conservative administration has said it is vital it saves £85m, over the next three years, to balance the authority's books.

But opposition parties have said the plans could mean up to 900 job cuts.

There will now be a public consultation on the proposals with a final decision taken in February.

The council said a rise in demand for children's and adult services meant budgets to other services will be cut.

'Proper consultation'

It has also pledged not to increase council tax for the next three years.

The council's cabinet insisted no changes, including selling off care homes, would be put in place until after the public consultation.

But council leader Kay Cutts said the savings would have to be made one way or another.

"I can't change my mind on the budget itself, that has to be the budget we have to get to because we have made promises to the electorate that we intend to keep," she said.

"But we are listening to everyone and if we have to change some things, and as I say it is a proper consultation so we are prepared to do that, savings will have to be made somewhere else."

Increased charges

Under the proposals, the 13 residential care homes owned by the council would be sold off, though officials said more money would be diverted to extra care services enabling elderly people to live independently in their own homes.

Cuts would also be made to environmental services, with three recycling centres closing down.

The council hopes to save £50,000 by reducing gritters' layers of salt on icy roads.

People using services, such as transport, meals and day care for the elderly, will see increased charges.

Staff would also see changes to holiday entitlement and redundancy pay.