Huge cuts in York's essential services are imminent as the city faces another budget shortfall, official papers leaked to the Evening Press confirmed today.

Councillors will consider closing down an unnamed city elderly people's home in an effort to make up the deficit, expected to be massive.

A family centre could be shut if the proposals are accepted, along with Hebden Rise and Huntington Road day care centres.

Savings could be made in the rehabilitation service at Grove House elderly people's home, where veteran Evening Press seller Les Richardson is a resident, and children's homes in Wenlock Terrace and Bismarck Street.

The proposals are similar to those made last year as City of York Council faced a £4.7 million deficit. Some, including closures of elderly people's homes and family centres, were shelved after huge opposition.

Council leader Rod Hills said today: "It is too early to say how much the shortfall will be next year, but it is likely to be very much the same as it was this year."

Other proposals set before the council include cutting the number of times the city's rubbish bins are emptied, and making money through sponsorship of the bins. Contributions to insurance for York's schools could be cut under the plans. It is expected to save £21,000, but councillors will be told there would be "a corresponding increase in the risk of being unable to fund the costs of recovering from serious fire damage."

Council-run car park charges would go up by about 10p an hour under the plans, while cremation fees would increase.

The city's dog warden service would be slashed to the bare minimum needed, saving £50,000. A public toilet in York could be closed and replaced by an automatic facility.

Coun Hills said: "Like last year, the budget shortfall is largely due to growth in uses of services, particularly in social services.

"Growth and demand has to be accommodated. Things like more kids going to secondary school from primary school and something like £250,000 increased pension contributions need to be funded. This money needs to be found from somewhere."

This year's Government spending assessment for York increased by only £5.25 million to £132 million, but figures for about 20 areas of spending have not yet been addressed, said Coun Hills.

"We are desperately trying to contact the Government department and find out about these areas. It looks like there will be specific grants for them, but we can't be certain.

"We can't make proper budget plans for next year until that is known. It seems to be a bit of a dog's dinner."

He said the proposals had not yet been considered by members of the council's Executive.

"Officers are set a target to come up with savings of about £1.5 million, and it seems this is what this is," he said.

"Some of those will not be acceptable to the council. They have not yet been discussed."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk