Roger Stone warns of £8m more cuts to Rotherham services

ROTHERHAM Borough Council is bracing itself to make another £8 million-worth of cuts to services — almost double what had previously been estimated.

Hundreds of jobs and many services are in the firing line as the council looks to trim another £8m from its budget on top of the £9m which had been expected.

The extra shortfall has been caused by changes to Government funding according to council leader Roger Stone, who has accused the Coalition of making cuts by stealth.

“At the moment we are trying to work through what little information we have but things could change significantly depending on the Government’s final decisions,” he said.

“It means we cannot say for certain what effect this will have on either services or staffing levels. But whatever we do, we will try to minimise any changes at what is clearly going to be a very difficult time for all authorities in local government.”

A spokesman from the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “The new reforms deliver an opportunity for a £10 billion boost to the wider economy over the next seven years, and more business rate revenues for councils to support front-line services.

"Councils will have a strong incentive to go for growth, pay off the deficit and still protect vulnerable communities.”

Changes being rushed, says Roger Stone. Click here and tell us what YOU think.

BROKEN PROMISES AND HIDDEN CUTS . . . Council hits out at Government over funding changes. SEE THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISER