£65m cuts worst since Second World War says council

Officials in the city have already warned that the authority faces "tough decisions" on services following the Government's finance settlement for local authorities.

Last night council leader Coun Peter Box said: "I am deeply disappointed with this settlement and what it means for the people of this district.

"It is the worst settlement for local government since the Second World War and takes no account of people's everyday experiences with services they rely on. Our job now is to do the best we can with what we've got. And that will not be easy."

The council's grant reduction from the Government in 2011-12 is 27m – a cut of 13.7 per cent which means that, as expected, the council will have to find 19m savings next year and a further 46m in the following three years.

On top of this, although the Government will make up some of the money the council will lose as a result of freezing council tax in 2011-12, it is not guaranteeing funding beyond the four years.

Coun Box said: "The figure of a 4.7 per cent cut being quoted for Wakefield is totally misleading.

"It includes money which is being given to the NHS, not the council, it does not take into account inflation or cuts already applied and it builds in some of the money provided if we freeze council tax without reflecting the impact on future years when that funding stops.

"The cut in funding for this district over the next four years is actually 30.3 per cent.

"We are also talking to the public, to partners and to communities about spending priorities. Only when we have pulled all this information together will we know the impact on services for the people of this district."