Lights will go out and tennis centre will close as council wrestles with £17m black hole

A COUNCIL tax rise, the closure of Swansea's tennis centre and turning off some street lights are among the cost cutting measures planned as Swansea Council tries to balance its books.

While the black hole in the authority's finances was originally thought to be £15 million, councillor Holley told the Post that the real figure is closer to £17 million.

The authority plans to close that gap by making savings within departmental budgets of £9.5 million, using reserves of £3.5 million , and a 4.35 per cent rise in council tax — which should net an extra £4.1 million.

However, councillor Holley warned that closing the gap this year did not mean an end to the financial pain felt in the city. He said: "This year it is a £15 million cut. There may be a £15 million cut next year, because it is going to get harder and harder each year."

A report going before Swansea Council's cabinet on Thursday contains a number of moves which will come as a blow to city residents.

Council tax is rising by 4.35 per cent, taking the annual bill for a band D property to £958.33 — before precepts from the police, fire service and community councils are added on.

The council subsidy to the LC is falling by £100,000, to around £800,000 per year and costs for using Active Swansea leisure facilities will also rise, netting the council an extra £85,000.

Perhaps most controversially, the authority says it is to close Swansea Tennis Centre, saving £50,000, and reducing street lighting, which will cut spending by £100,000. However, the council say that none of the lighting cuts will be in residential areas.

Councillor Holley said the reasons for the severe cuts and increased tax are due to lower income and increased spending in social services.

He said: "It comes from a very, very poor settlement, not just from the Assembly, but also from Westminster.

"We got a 1.9 per cent increase, which is nowhere near what we require."

"We have a huge, significant problem, not just in child and family services, but in social services. We are having to fund that as much as we possibly can, which is proving very, very, difficult.

In the last year, following the high profile Baby P case, the number of looked after children (LAC) in Swansea has risen by 40 per cent to 522 cases.

Councillor Holley added: "No authority anywhere in the country could cope with that increase.

"Yes, we had some failings in social services, and some bad reports and an intervention board.

"We have had to put a lot more effort and resources in."

In many instances, the cuts across departments mean job cuts. As the Post reported last week, the figure of 500 set by the authority last year is likely to be increased.

"These are some of the largest savings we've ever made in one year and it means hundreds of jobs will have to go with as many of them away from the frontline as possible," councillor Holley said.

"By not filling existing vacancies, natural turnover and voluntary redundancies we're seeking to minimise the risk of the need for any compulsory redundancies."

alex.brown@swwmedia.co.uk

In tonight's Evening Post:

Spending cuts breakdown

Volley of opposition over tennis centre closure plan

Council pledge to continue investing in kids' services

Street light switch-off plans could save £100k per year

Leader is out of credit say opposition chiefs