by Alan McGuinness

Funding to groups that provide services for some of the most vulnerable people in Medway could be cut by half as the council balances its books.

The Supporting People budget, which is used to give money to organisations like mhs homes and Medway Cyrenians, will be reduced from £4.6 million to £2.6 million, under plans to get a £6.2 million deficit under control.

As part of the council’s budget for 2012/2013 council tax will be frozen for another year, but car parking charges will go up by 10p.

A review of the council’s special educational needs transport scheme, which in some cases pays for taxis to take children to school, will look at all journeys over £40 to see if any savings can be made. This is expected to save £900,000.

A three year pay freeze for council staff will save £1.6 million.

Deputy Leader Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) said the council will continue to maintain “vital frontline services” despite a reduction in funding from the government.

He said the changes to the supporting people budget were aimed at ensuring money was being used effectively. The money is used to fund services like homeless hostels and debt counselling.

Cllr Jarrett admitted traders would not like the increase in parking charges, but said he did not think it would put people off going to town centres in Medway.

For the full story see Friday’s Medway Messenger.