COUNCIL officers mapped out the stark reality facing councillors as they seek to cut more than �90 million from their budget over the next four years, during a budget scrutiny panel.

COUNCIL officers mapped out the stark reality facing councillors as they seek to cut more than �90 million from their budget over the next four years, during a budget scrutiny panel.

Selling of council property, reducing staff, wages and allowances more online services, increased service charges and reducing access to adult social services and the length of time supported by them were all identified as ways of raising or saving money.

Duncan McLeod, Brent Council’s director of finance and corporate resources, asked why overtime was being paid when the council is 24-7.

Phil Newby, director of policy and regeneration, said a reduction in customer contact could save �3.4 million.

However Mr Newby said: “We are not going to find all that money by reducing head count and cuts. We are also going to have to come back to the council and say what we can not do; that review has just kicked off.

When asked if the necessary savings were achievable, he said: “There is not another choice. It’s our problem and the other directors to make damn sure we do.”

But he reassured the panel that ‘what ever we are committed to delivering, we are better squeezing our suppliers than the residents’.