Torbay £9m savings plans 'will hurt'

The Mayor of Torbay has admitted that the authority's £9m programme of budget cuts "will hurt".

Elected mayor Nick Bye unveiled the savings for 2011 in the south Devon unitary authority last week.

The worst affected will be adult social care, which stands to lose £3m.

Mr Bye said that he was "uncomfortable" with the cuts, but he added that all front line services could no longer be completely protected.

He said: "We have made substantial reorganisation in the town hall, doing things differently, and cutting back on some services that were discretional.

"But going now for £9m of savings will hurt."

All areas of Torbay Council activity would be affected, including highways, parking enforcement and the bay's library service, he said.

The proposed cuts would equal about 8% of the unitary authority's total annual budget of £115m.

Children's services are facing a £2m reduction in spending.