York councillors to meet public over budget cuts

People in York are being urged to meet senior councillors to discuss what they want cash to be spent on as the authority plans for budget cuts.

City of York Council needs to make £22m in savings over the next two years on top of the £21m cut agreed in February.

The council said it was having to provide more care for older people and children and also facing higher energy and fuel costs.

A meeting will be held at the Mansion House at 18:30 GMT.

The council said the drop-in session would, for the first time, give people the chance to discuss the council's budget priorities with cabinet members and senior officers face-to-face.

'People's budget'

Council leader James Alexander said: "This is the first time the council is holding face-to-face drop-in sessions and I would urge people to come along to the event and let us hear their views.

"Despite the difficult financial situation we want this to be a genuine people's budget, prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable residents in our city."

The Labour-controlled authority has been told it will need to find an additional £12m of savings in 2012/13 and another £10m in 2013/14 in order to balance the budget.

Officials said the number of children requiring council care was now 13% higher than when the budget was set in February.

Other budget pressures include the cost of the Landfill Tax and high inflation on contracts the council has with external providers.

The council said further events were planned throughout the month to discuss the issue.