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£6m overspend predicted at Central Beds Council
Lib Dem leader accuses authority of being complacent
A projected overspend of 6 million for this year has been discussed by Central Bedfordshire Council.
The authority is set to go 5.809 million further into the red in 2010/11 according to a report that was discussed by the executive committee.
Council chiefs claim the figure is only a forecast and is likely to change, but Lib Dem leader Councillor Peter Blaine accused the authority of being complacent at the meeting.
He said: "I am pleased that the finance portfolio holder takes this matter seriously. This report is an important document, which gives the authority the ability to control the council's finances.
"Clearly we have a projected overspend of 6 million, which is a major concern. No doubt measures will be put in place to redeem the situation, but I am concerned the council is being complacent."
But Councillor Steve Male said: "The opposition has accused the council of being complacent. Every portfolio holder have been asked what they are going to do about it, and each and every one has said they are aware of the overspend and are actively working to reduce it.
"I don't think that is being complacent and I feel very positive that we will come up with a solution to bring the budget back into line."
The executive agreed to approve recommendations in a bid to reduce the predicted overspend. It now plans to restructure the heads of services roles in children's services, which would save 915,000, and introduce a recovery plan in customer and shared services.
The authority also agreed to bring the overspend in waste services back into budget by September, and plans to review the usage of learning disability placements.
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Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
