Council outlines diary dates for £45m services cuts talks
WEST Lothian Council has outlined its diary of discussions that will decide the planned £45 million of public service cuts facing the county as well as extending its initial public consultation deadline.
The proposals put forward by council officers in the 231-page Tough Choices document, which details where the cuts will come, will be discussed at policy development and scrutiny panels (PDSPs) – which are open to the public – over the next three months.
The cuts include the loss of 1,000 council posts and "efficiencies" in all frontline services including education, social policy, health, leisure, environmental services and development and transport.
The council had opened up a consultation for the public and community groups to offer alternatives to its plans.
But council sources say there hasn't been a great response from the public so far, and with no new ideas submitted it looks likely council proposals will be pushed through.
The council has now decided to extend that deadline for submissions from yesterday until eight days before the PDSPs take place.
Council leader Peter Johnston said: "We would like to thank the community groups and individuals who submitted comments. These will be considered during the debate.
"The closing date was 30 June, however given the difficult decisions that are being made we are willing to accept comments for specific services areas as outlined in the timetable, if they are received at least eight days prior to the date to date of the appropriate PDSP meeting."
Jane Ridgway, who represents council workers in the Joint Trades Union Council (JTUC), said the organisation has gone through the proposals "service area by service area" and has responded to the consultation.
She added: "Representatives of the JTUC will also be attending the council's PDSP meetings over the coming months to listen to the debate and put forward the views of our members. The JTUC remains committed to fighting any compulsory redundancies."
All the meetings will be taking place at the Civic Centre in Livingston starting next Friday, 9 July and finishing on 3 September. Decisions on the cuts will be made in December.
For a feedback form and a list of all the PDSP meetings, visit www.westlothian.gov.uk/change
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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