A dozen children’s centres, eight libraries and almost 500 jobs could be axed as Walsall Council attempts to make £86m of cuts by 2019.
Other cost-saving measures include a £2m cut to youth services, closing Walsall Museum and introducing fortnightly bin collections from 2016.
The proposals, due to be discussed by cabinet next week, will see the ‘deepest cuts’ take place next year, said council leader Sean Coughlan.
He said: ‘This is the first time Walsall Council has produced a forward-looking plan. As the new administration, we have had only three months to do so.
‘Faced with £47m funding reductions from central government and the limitation on council tax increases, our hands are tied and it hasn’t been easy. But our priority has been to protect the most vulnerable people and to do what we can to continue making Walsall a good place to live.’
Of the 487 potential redundancies proposed between April next year and 2017, 112 are vacant.
Cllr Coughlan said the council tax reduction scheme and council tax discounts would be reviewed in a bid to save £3m.
He added: ‘We will still have libraries, children’s centres, leisure centres, bin collections, and we will still be looking after older people helping them to live more independently and we will still protect vulnerable children. All these will be done differently and better with less staff and fewer buildings.’
Photo: ©Stephen McKay
