Leeds council is set to reveal a whole raft of proposed spending cuts this week.
The council has called a media briefing about its 2011-2012 budget for tomorrow. Budget details will be reported to the council's executive board next Friday - and an officers' report highlighting the budget is due to be released online tomorrow afternoon.
The 2011-12 budget will be set at a meeting of full council on February 23.
The council needs to save £90 million in next year's budget - £50 million in cuts from government and £40 million from other pressures - and has already announced a reduction in the number of staff through voluntary severance, early retirement or not replacing people who leave.
It is consulting over closing free crisis counselling service Leeds Crisis Centre and two day centres. And the council is also reviewing its 19 residential care homes for the elderly and is also consulting on the future of the city's libraries, with 20 facing possible closure.
The council is not making any comment on the budget ahead of tomorrow's press conference. It's understood council officials are still working on the report to be considered by the executive board.
Business event to look at budget cuts
Meanwhile, the impact of public spending cuts on businesses in Leeds will come under discussion at an event on Monday.
Alan Gay, finance director at Leeds council, will be speaking at the Leeds Chamber Business Forum, which is taking place on Monday, 7 February.
Gay will discuss the council's budget for 2011-12 and how the Comprehensive Spending Review will affect the public services used by the city's businesses and workforce.
Throughout the forum, guests will have the opportunity to put forward their views on the council budget and spending cuts.
Ian Williams, director or policy at Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, says:
"Ongoing uncertainty over the spending cuts is hitting business confidence. Businesses are cautious about investing and taking on new employees when they do not know what the future holds.
"Through this event, we aim to provide some clarity for businesses as to how the local authority cuts will affect them, their customers and the services that they rely on – enabling businesses to start planning for the future.
"The event will also be a fantastic opportunity for businesses to put forward their views to Leeds council's Finance Director and influence one of the city's leading policy makers".
The Leeds Business Forum is taking place between 4-6pm at Eversheds, Bridgewater Place.
The event is open to all Chamber members and is free to attend. For more information or to book, email events@yourchamber.org.uk.
What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.
Note 2pm: The fifth paragraph of this post was amended to remove the words 'mental health' and replace them with 'free crisis counselling service'.
