Majority vote in favour of cost-cutting proposals

Members of Nottinghamshire County Council yesterday voted in favour of 164 cost-cutting proposals to help the authority save £150m over the next three years.

The leading Conservative group was able to push through the proposals, which are yet to be decided on, with an eight-vote majority at yesterday's full council meeting, which finished just before 10pm.

The proposals, which relate to changes in services and how the council carries out its business, are split into three categories - those which can be moved forward in the near future subject to consultation with employees and trade unions; those which need more widespread discussion, including giving notice of change to external bodies; and those which require formal statutory consultation so need approval to start the process.

Mrs Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "The county council has to save £69m next year - £39m of which will be reinvested largely into frontline services for vulnerable adults and children.

"This means extremely difficult decisions need to be taken in order to balance the books. If you don't have the money, you can't spend it - it's as simple as that.

"This is a once-in-a-generation chance to rethink and reform how services are structured and delivered but this can only be done once the views of those who are most affected are taken into account.”

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