West Lancashire council to face new wave of spending cuts

Dec 27 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

MINISTERS were accused of inflicting real hardship after new spending cuts for councils were revealed.

West Lancs council's overall spending power will be slashed by an extra 1.2% next year and a further 3.6% in 2014-15, the Government announced.

West Lancs MP Rosie Cooper hit out at the cuts and said that, given the council had £17m in reserves, it needed to ensure every single penny available was used to properly protect residents and services.

She said: “There has been a lot of pain with these cuts and further budget cuts will inflict real hardship.”

Cllr David Westley, portfolio holder for finance, said work had already begun on next year’s budget where the spending cuts would be addressed but added: “We’re always working two years ahead which is why you need reserves; it gives you time to make the changes and minimise reductions.”