SERVICES for old people, children and vulnerable adults could all be hit by Doncaster Council cuts.
A whole raft of changes are being proposed in the council’s draft budget - resulting in savings from services as well as job cuts.
The authority’s day services will be rationalised - with a revised management structure leading to savings of £200,000 and the axing of five jobs.
Remaining services will be reviewed, meaning clients using the services will not be able to go out as often.
Glebe House Day Centre in Thorne, which caters for people with dementia, will also be axed, with users planned to be transferred to other similar centres.
Elsewhere, the Don View care home respite unit would be relocated to Travis Gardens - creating further savings.
There are also proposals to alter the running of the council’s children’s centres, closing three centres – with centres at Sprotbrough and Finningley most likely to face the axe. Some of the two buildings’ functions would be picked up by neighbouring centres - but the move would result in the loss of 15 jobs across the borough.
Mayor Peter Davies said: “I have always felt savings could be made by cutting waste and bureaucracy. But the decisions we have to take are getting harder and harder. We will do our utmost to protect frontline services and this budget is best for the people of Doncaster in the current financial crisis.
“It is not good news for people, I accept, but it is perhaps far better than it might have been. We have had these measures forced upon us and unless someone can find a money tree, the situation is unavoidable.”
He said that the draft had been produced after discussions with the town’s political groups and unions.
Jim Board, of Doncaster Unison, said: “The number of job losses fits in with previous predictions. However, reducing spending further is a devastating blow to Doncaster Council and its workforce and will increase pressure on people as services are reduced.”
Unless someone can find a money tree, this is unavoidable”
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