WREXHAM Council is preparing to make budget cuts of about £3.5 million next year.
But although the axe will swing in virtually every department, services such as social care, children’s services and schools will be protected as far as possible.
This was the dire prediction of council chiefs ahead of next week’s meeting of the executive board at which the financial situation will be discussed.
Although Wrexham has just received a provisional cash of settlement of £163 million for 2012/13 from the Welsh Government that is 1.2 per cent more than the current year, head of finance Mark Owen said this will be “significantly eaten into” by inflation, currently running at over five per cent.
He said this would mean budget savings of £3.5 million would be necessary.
Mr Owen added: “We have spent a lot of time trying to avoid major savings in front line services and there will be budgetary protection for social care and children’s services including schools.”
He predicted savings would be sought across all council departments, with the axe likely to fall hardest in those such as legal, finance, human resources and IT.
The executive board will be asked to approve the cuts in principal.
The whole financial package will then go out to consultation with trade unions and business leaders before the budget is finally approved on February 29 next year.
Deputy council leader Cllr David Bithell, said: “This is a work in progress.
“There is a lot more work to be done and things may change during the consultation period.
“We have been preparing for these savings over the past two years and there has been a lot of work behind the scenes to limit the impact on services.
“Every authority in Wales is facing the same difficult situation as we are.”