LIBRARIES, children’s centres and highways are in the firing line as bosses of cash-strapped Bury Council today unveil a budget “blueprint”.

These could become the major target areas as council chiefs aim to find savings of nearly £18 million over the next three years.

Among the proposals contained in a Plan for Change draft document are reductions of £493,000 in highways services, libraries service savings of £540,000, and cuts which could impact children’s centres and older people’s services. Bosses say job losses among council employees are inevitable, although it is hoped these can be achieved voluntarily.

The draft programme of savings is now subject to a 12-week consultation before the budget is set in February. More than 3,500 people took part in a Choices consultation to identify their most important priorities. The three highest ranked were supporting vulnerable people, a strong local economy and a decent place to live.

Council leaders have made budget proposals for the next three years. From the start of the 2012-13 financial year, the authority has to find a further £17.7 million of savings by 2015.

Plan for Change draft savings include internal efficiencies worth £10,409,000, new proposals accounting for £4,120,000 and savings from existing work totalling £3,192,000.

Council leader Mike Connolly said: “Our residents were fantastic in the consultation with so many of them coming forward to give us their views. Now, we need them to do the same again. We have taken on board what people have said and drawn up these proposals.

“We face some of the most challenging times in recent history and have worked hard to put together proposals that will minimise the effect on frontline services and residents, despite losing almost one-third of our controllable income over four years. We need to change the way we work and be up front about our vision and strategy. We want the public to engage with us.”

Bury Council chief executive Mike Kelly said: “We have made a conscious decision not to announce any job losses. But clearly, there will be.” He hopes these will be met through a three-year voluntary scheme open to 5,500 staff.

Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Tim Pickstone said: “Cutting £2 million from older people's services, cutting £1.7 million from things like road repairs and street cleaning and cutting £1.2 million from libraries, youth service and leisure are major cuts to basic services. This is a Labour council closing libraries, cutting back on road repairs and reducing home support for older people.”

The proposals can be viewed, and feedback submitted, by visitng: bury.gov.uk/planforchange