Increased charges for adult social care and school transport as well as the introduction of charges for pre-planning application advice are some of the measures being considered by Herefordshire Council's cabinet this Thursday, June 30th. The council says that it has to consider proposals to raise £712,000 through increasing its income to help towards the £10.3 million savings needed to balance this year's budget.

The council has pledged to protect the services depended on by the most vulnerable in our communities and has already earmarked an extra £3.5 million for adult social care. A five point plan to make the savings required began earlier this year. It is anticipated that 250 jobs, will go across the council during the next two years.

However, when compared with similar authorities, the council does not bring in as much income through charges, although any charges cannot be set to make a profit.

Cllr John Jarvis, leader of the council, said "We've been planning our response to the reduction in government funding for some time and are already well advanced in our plans to share services between the council and NHS Herefordshire.

The cabinet report proposes increasing charges in four areas. If agreed, the figures will be considered in detail and will be widely communicated before any changes are brought in during the autumn.

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