More cuts and job losses 'inevitable' as Dudley Council faces £34.5 million shortfall
Dudley Council will need to make more swingeing cuts if it is to avoid insolvency, its finance chief has warned.
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A report by interim finance director Brendan Arnold said the council was on course for a shortfall of £34.5 million in its revenue budget during the next financial year - but would be left with just £13 million in reserves by the start of the period.
Mr Arnold warned that the council would need to consider the closure of town halls, leisure centres, and The Dell athletics stadium in Brierley Hill as it sought to balance the books, although there were no immediate plans to do this.
Discretionary help with council tax bills for people of working age on low incomes is also set to be cut.
Describing the council's financial position as "insufficiently robust", he said job losses were inevitable.
"The number of posts within the council's establishment will reduce for 2025/26, and during the next financial year, and in the medium term," said Mr Arnold.
He said it was not yet clear how many jobs would go, but it was hoped that many of these would come through natural wastage.
"The council cannot discount the possibility of some compulsory redundancies, but will seek to minimise this prospect, and seek to clarify the position in the weeks ahead."
