Children’s centres and gritters earmarked for cuts

School crossing patrols are among services which could by reduced by Warwickshire County Council

Children’s centres, crossing patrols and road gritting could be cut in Warwickshire as the council tries to balance its books.

Three household waste centres could close and street lighting be used more sparingly, according to Warwickshire County Council's five-year budget plan.

The medium-term financial strategy (MTFS) document has set out proposals to plug a £69.4m black hole in the authority's finances. 

It will be considered by the council's cabinet on Tuesday.

The MTFS document reveals how rising costs and increased demand in social care, special educational needs and school transport threaten core services.

The council aims to save £900,000 by "consolidating activity into a reduced number of [children and families] centres" in 2027-28.

Meanwhile, the children and families department plans to cut more than £2m from staffing costs over the next four years.

The closure of three household waste recycling centres in 2027-28 is expected to trim bills by £200,000.

The council has additionally targeted saving £1m more in the next financial year on home-to-school transport.

The following year it is set to review school crossing patrols, with £199,000 of savings projected.

Councillors will discuss the budget proposals at a cabinet meeting next Tuesday

"More efficient delivery” and the construction of salt barns are expected to save £250,000 on winter road gritting in 2026-27.

However, limiting provision to only A and B roads is proposed from the following year to save another £150,000. 

It is also hoped £100,000 will come off the bill for street lighting by "extending part-night lighting hours" in 2027-28.

During this year, reduced bus services are also expected, saving £750,000.

Another £1m cut could come from the "further decommissioning of the housing-related support service offer".

The MTFS document, which is refreshed on a yearly basis, also identifies additional revenue streams.

It estimates increases to pay and display and parking permit charges, for instance, could generate £1.775m over three years.

The cabinet will meet at 13:45 GMT on Tuesday.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.