FIVE York parks could shut their gates earlier in summer, under the latest wave of cost-cutting proposals by council chiefs.
Changing the closing times of Rowntree Park, Glen Gardens, Hull Road Park, Clarence Gardens and West Bank Park would save £10,000 and is among ideas drawn up by City of York Council officers for the 2011/12 budget.
The council’s pest control service and waste and recycling rounds could also be reviewed, while charges could rise at York Crematorium. Charges could also rise at Burton Stone Community Centre, as might fees for swimming sessions, allotments, some library services and marriage and civil partnership ceremonies.
Council officials also suggest replacing bollards with more resilient ones which would last longer and need less maintenance if struck by vehicles. They say that move could save £58,000 a year.
The council faces a £21 million budget gap next year, but hopes to narrow it to £13.5 million through various measures, including its internal More for York efficiency drive, extra social care cash, a Government grant if council tax is frozen and a potential nationwide pay freeze for council employees. It expects to cut 170 jobs during the year.
The five parks are currently open until 9.30pm or 10pm in summer, but officers say changing this to 9pm would remove the need for temporary staff. Other possible savings for two directorates – leisure and culture and neighbourhoods and housing – are:
• Reducing branch library staff, sharing library premises and using more volunteers.
• Moving to four-weekly winter collections of green waste.
• Cutting ward committee budgets by ten per cent.
• Reviewing mobile-cleaning and city centre caretaking operations, which could lead to job losses.
Coun Nigel Ayre, the council’s executive member for leisure, culture and social inclusion, said: “Leisure has always been a priority for us, but Government cuts to our funding have meant this year’s budget will be very difficult.
“However, we have committed to ensuring important local services like libraries and leisure centres will remain open.”
Coun Ann Reid, executive member for neighbourhood services, said her party would invest in increasing recycling and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
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