Councillors vote for £30m cuts

CONTROVERSIAL budget plans to make nearly £30m of cuts have been voted through by Notts County Council, ahead of the final decision in February.

Notts County Council's cabinet met in Nottingham to agree next year's budget – which includes plans to axe 470 jobs, make cuts to frontline services and increase charges for older people.

More than 20,000 signatures have been submitted in petition against the cuts.

The policy to sell all the council's 13 residential care homes – including St Michael's in Hallcroft – has been delayed for 12 months because the authority says it does not believe it will be able to sell them next financial year.

The council says it is facing increased revenue costs of £31.1m – which is largely due to an aging population and increased referrals to children's social services.

The authority is also looking to freeze its part of the council tax bill next year, at a cost of £9m revenue next year based on a three per cent increase.

The final decision on the plans will be made on February 25, when the full council meets.