Taxi Driver Online

November 28, 2007 Wednesday

Dorset Echo

Threat to mayor in cutbacks

THE Mayor of Weymouth and Portland could get the boot in a bid to solve a funding crisis.

It is one of the measures being considered by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to try to meet a shortfall in next year's budget.

Other ideas include public toilet closure, redundancies across a range of council departments, bus service cuts, increased taxi licence charges, a mooring and harbour fee hike, reduced beach maintenance and axed funding for twinning.

Art and sport grants, financial support for Police Community Support Officers and Greenhill Gardens could also get the chop.

Mayor David Harris said: "At the moment just about every cut that could be made is being suggested.

"But hopefully the council will not need to make all of them.

"The people of this borough really value the role of mayor. They are so delighted when the mayoress and I attend events."

The six-figure shortfall has been caused by a new concessionary bus travel scheme being introduced next year.

Under the scheme, over-60s and eligible disabled people will be able to travel anywhere in England for free.

But council chiefs have discovered the Government will not cover the full cost.

Uptake is expected to be very high and costly in tourist destinations like Weymouth and Portland.

Council corporate director Jason Vaughan said: "This scheme threatens to blow us off course big time.

"There is always uncertainty when planning a budget but the Government is not funding this scheme fully and therefore we have to look at all our options."

Departments where redundancies are being considered include IT, management, environmental health and property maintenance.

The council will have to find between £172,000 and £578,000.

It will be told the exact amount next month.

Mr Vaughan said: "We have to plan for the worst."

Councillor Nigel Reed, council spokesman for finance, said: "We have certain services that we have to carry out as a council. But our discretionary services are often some of the most popular ones. Some options will not be accepted by members and I think the mayor's office is a good example.

"Members see the mayor as one of the good PR machines of the council."

The council's management committee will discuss the proposals on December 4.
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