Cuts info to hit home

This could spell the ends of Christmas lights, lunchtime patrol crossings and once a week bin collections – and the possible closure of Abronhill High School.

However, the council insists that nothing will be set in stone without public consultation. Teams of council employees will also be sent out to town centres to discuss the programme with shoppers and a designated website has now gone live.

Once residents have read the information in the booklet or on the website, they will be able to respond to an electronic questionnaire, call a new phone line or return a hard copy of the survey.

Head of corporate communications Stephen Penman said: “The scale of savings we are facing makes it absolutely vital we consult with our residents. We are working reach as many people as possible within a very short timescale.

I cannot stress enough how important this is in helping form decisions about how we will deliver services throughout North Lanarkshire in years to come.

“I would urge everyone to visit the website or read the information in the booklet,” he said.

That website can be accessed on www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/wayahead where potential savings are detailed in full.

The council’s management team will also deliver a presentation to local area partnership and community forum meetings throughout the month.

The consultation runs October and its finding will be discussed by councillors before Christmas.

More cuts coverage on pages 6, 7 and 11.