By Chris Story

Last updated at 13:30, Friday, 25 January 2013

Just six days remain for Cumbrians to have their say on county council plans to cut at least £18 million from its budget.

The authority is being forced to make continued savings because of the continued fallout from Government spending slicing.

Fears have already been raised by trade unions that more council jobs could go as its leaders try to balance the books.

Council leader Eddie Martin asked in November for people to make their views known on savings plans.

The deadline for responses is 11.59pm on Thursday.

Although an initial £18m of savings have been targeted, it is feared that the total may rise to as much as £23.5m

Ideas suggested so far include not filling the estimated 1,000 vacant posts currently within the council. More than 700 people have already been made redundant in the past two years.

Another suggestion would see £5.2m sliced from IT contracts and “restructuring” the highways service to reduce staffing levels. There may also be a 20 per cent reduction in the amount of money given to local committees potentially impacting on funding activities for youngsters up to the age of 19 and school crossing patrols.

It has also been claimed that improving education standards in the county means “fewer schools require intervention”, so money can be saved there.

More details at www.cumbria.gov.uk. Hard copies of the consultation document are also available from Cumbria’s libraries or by calling 01228 221023.

First published at 13:29, Friday, 25 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk