Gloucestershire County Council signs off £114m cuts

The council said the job cuts equated to one in six staff

Plans to save £114m over four years have been signed off by Conservative-controlled Gloucestershire County Council cabinet.

Final approval will be taken at a full council meeting on 16 February.

Members voted on proposals which would see 1,000 job cuts, 22 youth centres and 10 libraries at risk of closure, and bus subsidies reduced.

Some policy had been made during the consultation period, including the saving of Cinderford library.

Peppercorn rent

About 40 campaigners staged a protest outside Gloucester's Shire Hall ahead of the cabinet vote on Wednesday.

The council said the job cuts equated to one in six staff and about a third would be senior managers.

Sharing staff with other public sector bodies and selling off unused properties is expected to save £40m.

Library services are to be shaken up with 11 being turned into express facilities and a further 10 being offered to local communities to run for peppercorn rents.

Subsidised bus services and paid-for transport to faith and grammar schools are to be reviewed.

Funding for 63 police officers will continue until March 2013.