Budget meeting cancelled

A meeting called to explain proposed budget cuts to residents of Ollerton and Boughton was cancelled because of the weather.

The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Mrs Kay Cutts, who was invited to answer residents’ questions at Ollerton Town Hall on Wednesday, had already said she would not be attending.

In a letter to the town council, Mrs Cutts said the budget was out for consultation and the cabinet member for children and young people’s services, Mr Philip Owen, planned to hold a meeting with representatives from the Dukeries Complex to discuss their concerns.

She said there was little more she could add at this time.

The county council is considering various cost-cutting measures in Ollerton and Boughton to help it find almost £85m in savings over the next three years to meet extra demand for services and to balance its budget.

It includes slashing more than £400,000 from Dukeries College and Complex out-of-school and community services budget.

Ollerton’s Dukeries Day Centre for older people is also at risk of closure and Bishops Court Nursing Home, Boughton, could be sold.

The council wants to ends its Dial-a-Ride service and is proposing to withdraw the Sherwood Forester community bus service.

It is hoped the meeting can be rearranged. c.kirk@newarkadvertiser.co.uk