MAJOR budget cuts have forced Warrington Borough Council (WBC) to identify £15.5 million worth of savings in this year's proposed budget.

The £136.83 million budget for 2018-19 – which also includes a 5.98 per cent council tax increase – was unanimously approved by the executive board on Monday.

It will now be put the full council for a vote at the Town Hall on February 26.

The authority has made £29.3 million worth of savings between 2016-18.

However, an additional £38 million needs to be made over the next four years, including £15.5 million in 2018-19, to balance the budget.

But where are some of the savings coming from this year?

Amid budget cuts from central Government, WBC estimates that it will bring in £4.5 million of income from its investment of Birchwood Park, £1 million from loans to registered housing providers, £500,000 from a joint venture energy company and £200,000 income from penalty charge notices issued to motorists unlawfully driving in bus lanes.

It also aims to generate £220,000 through setting up a housing company and constructing homes in Warrington.

And £1.5 million is planned to be saved by significant changes to adult social care.

The 'programme of culture and system change' will see the authority work with service users, along with their families and communities, to 'identify existing support and emphasising what people can do'.

It is planned to save £1.5 million in 2018-19 and £2 million in 2019-20.

So far, officers have identified around £3.48 million worth of savings for 2019-20 and £5.43 million for 2020-21.

WBC estimates it will make £2.3 million in savings in 2020-21 through the reduction in lease and running costs for council buildings as the Time Square regeneration project 'comes on stream'.