Dudley Council cuts: Cost of dying and parking to rise in bid to save £25m
The cost of dying is set to increase, while parking charges are also due to rise as part of cost-cutting plans by Dudley Council.
The authority has revealed its budget proposals for 2017/18 as it aims to substantially cut spending in order to balance the books.
The council must save £25 million over the next three years – and will aim to save a huge £18m during the next financial year.
A number of cost-cutting measures have been proposed which includes a review of bereavement services.
The council is aiming to save almost half a million pounds in this area up to 2020 and council leader Pete Lowe admitted it could result in burial fees and other costs going up.
Parking charges are also set to rise across council-run car parks in the borough. The authority is looking to make an extra £260,000 from its car parks by 2018/19. The council will review the costs over the coming months.
Finance boss Councillor David Sparks said it did not necessarily mean across-the-board rises at car parks as some charges may rise in certain areas but not others.
Councillor Lowe said he understood the need to balance making enough money from parking and making sure it did not deter people from coming into the borough's town centres.
He said: "We always recognise with car parks that getting cars in is a fundamental fact."
A major review of leisure centres and staff is also planned. Bosses said they continue to be forced to make difficult decisions in order to make the necessary savings.
They insist the council's financial position is a result of massive funding cuts from the Government over the last six years.
Cost-cutting measures already taken include the closure of the Dudley Museum building and the pulling of funding for elderly people in private care homes.
The authority has also announced an unpopular proposal to axe school crossing wardens.
