COUNCIL chiefs say they are “confident” they can balance the budget before the next financial year.
Flintshire Council made £8.9 million of controversial budget cuts in 2011-12 which included closing libraries, charging for music services and reducing eligibility for free transport.
Early estimates suggested another £8m of cuts were needed for 2012-13, but the council has now identified savings of £3.6m.
For its expected income of £278.5m to match its estimated spend, the authority will need to save another £1.7m before the draft budget for 2012-13 is finalised next month.
Finance bosses were optimistic at a meeting of the lifelong learning overview and scrutiny committee yesterday.
Chief executive Colin Everett said: “We’re confident if members were to approve this budget we would be close to balancing the budget without any reductions to public services.
“This is the future. It’s about being efficient in what is a difficult time now and for a few years to come.”
Kerry Feather, Flintshire Council’s head of finance, added: “We are at that point where we think we will be able to balance the budget.”
Members of the council’s executive board agreed to endorse the draft budget in December before it went out to consultation.
The lifelong learning directorate is set to save £165,000 in 2012-13 from a decrease in pupil numbers while an estimated £423,000 could be saved by a reduction of out of county placement costs through improving procurement and practices.
The council’s income includes money from the Welsh Government, council tax, business rates, fees and specific grants.
Ian Budd, director of lifelong learning, said there was “significant pressures” in the current budget which need to be monitored carefully before the year is out, including post-16 transport provision which was proving costly.
“At time of financial restraint money is hard-won and hard to come by,” he said.
“We all recognise that education is key to combating poverty and opening up opportunities to our children and young people.”
Meetings have been scheduled at County Hall until January 26 to enable councillors to consider the budget proposals.
Final proposals will be considered by the council’s executive committee in February and a recommendation will be made to the full council at a debate in March.
Bosses said they would continue to monitor the budget and react to any changes.