Political Editor
BBC East
The Politics Show can reveal unprecedented cuts in jobs and services across local authorities in the east.
£315m of savings will have to be found and more than 700 jobs are to go so far.
Every year is a tough year when it comes to balancing the local authority books but this year is exceptional.
A low grant from central government, pressure not to raise council tax and the recession are responsible.
Councils are facing falling income from investments due to low interest rates and increased pressures on services brought about by the economic downturn.
They have had to take money out of balances, make redundancies, stop recruitment and implement pay freezes in order to make the savings and balance their budgets.
So far it is going to mean 731 jobs will be lost this year and that total is likely to rise as other councils say they have not ruled job losses out.
All of this is being done to keep our council tax bills down, this year the average rise for tax payers across region is 2.2%.
Council Tax Increases in the east- Northamptonshire 3.5%
- Central Bedfordshire 2.95
- Suffolk 2.4%
- Bedfordshire Borough 2.3%
- Cambridgeshire 3%
- Essex 1.9%
- Norfolk 1.9%
That ranges from 3.5% in Northamptonshire, to 1.9% in Essex... which is the lowest in the country.
Even if front line services are protected, discretionary services will suffer.
- Cutting the verges of roads will be less frequent
- Support to boost tourism will be cut back
- Grants for local arts will be hit
- Sport and leisure facilities will be targeted
- Help for the voluntary sector will be reduced
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