Council cutbacks challenge.

A PROPOSAL to cut pounds 20m at a South Wales council has been backed by cabinet members.

Finance chiefs at Bridgend County Borough Council plan to reduce spending by pounds 7.2m for the next financial year, pounds 4.9m for 2011-12 and a further pounds 7.7m for 2012-13.

Officers remain wary of the affect of the credit crunch and increased demand for services on the eventual levels of income.

In his medium term financial report, resources chief Gareth Moss asked members to consider if certain services will be protected.

"All of the indicators will suggest that the forthcoming period will be a particularly difficult one," he warned.

Cutbacks in sickness costs, cover for absentees and a remodelling of adult social care have all been earmarked as possible money-savers.

A public caf at Bridgend Recreation Centre will be scrapped and replaced by vending machines to reduce costs and help sustain the council's planned budget.

In the meantime, growth will be frozen until mitigating reductions have been agreed.

Revenue Support Grants from the Welsh Assembly Government are likely to be "significantly less" than anticipated, with grant increases of 1.3% for the next financial year well below the 3.4% predicted.

Meanwhile, taxpayers in the borough face an annual increase in council tax, with its planned precept for band D properties rising by 4.8% from April. For every 1% boost in council tax, the authority will receive an extra pounds 420,000.

Huw David, cabinet member for resources, said the authority faced financial pressures across the board.

"I don't think we can underestimate the scale of the challenge facing us," he said.

"It is more important than ever that we ensure budgets are managed. We have no other choice but to review every item of growth we have committed to in previous years." Council leader Mel Nott said officers and cabinet members were working "extremely hard" to reduce the projected pounds 20m cutbacks.

The authority's draft budget will be drawn in December, ahead of its final budget proposals in January next year.

CUTTING COSTS Proposed cost-saving reductions include: Adult social care Residential services Learning disability support Supported living arrangements Transportation provision Catering at Bridgend Recreation Centre General sickness costs and covering of absences