Big council underspend to be used for massive programme of road improvements (From York Press)

Big council underspend to be used for massive programme of road improvements

9:40am Tuesday 10th July 2012 in News

MILLIONS of pounds of spare council cash is set to be used to boost improvements to roads in East Yorkshire.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council underspent its revenue budget by £16.5 million last year and its cabinet will next week be asked to approve using £3.3 million of this for additional highways maintenance.

It will also decide whether to use £5 million to back up its capital programme and improve infrastructure such as housing, schools and roads, while £6.3 million is earmarked for helping to ease financial pressures on adult social care and support “transformation” work within the council aimed at producing savings in future years without frontline services being affected.

“Road maintenance remains a significant pressure because of the size of the network in East Yorkshire and the continuing impact of the severe winter weather in recent years,” said council leader Stephen Parnaby.

“It is also one of the top priorities identified by our residents through budget consultations.”