Meeting over North Somerset service cut plans

A meeting over plans to cut council spending in North Somerset by more than £40m over the next four years is due to take place next week.

The local authority wants to reduce its spending across all services by 28%.

The council's executive will meet on Tuesday to discuss plans to save £15.8m in the next financial year.

The plans include axing 130 jobs. The authority anticipates a shortfall of £12.6m. The final budget will be set on 22 February.

The report says "change will be focused upon streamlining the way the council provides services, and most importantly, working more closely with local communities, the private sector and civic sector to provide services in more cost effective ways."

Nigel Ashton, the council's leader, said most of the jobs were currently vacant or transferring to contractors, and less than less than 50 employees were expected to be at risk of redundancy.

"We are facing unprecedented levels of cuts and must play our part, along with every other council, as the country prepares to reduce the enormous national debt," he added.