Budget Cuts RoundUp

Although Birmingham City Council has passed its budget, the debate over austerity measures still rages on in the city and area. To keep you up to date, here are the latest stories.

BINMEN REACH AGREEMENT
After 9 long months, binmen have come to an agreement with Birmingham council over contract and pay disputes. The refuse workers, whose pay has been cut by £4,000 annually, voted to return to work by a two-thirds majority. Last month, the agreement was rejected by 95% of the workers.

DUDLEY COUNCIL CUTS
Dudley Council have announced cuts of up to £35 million, which could result in up to 1,000 job losses in the district, according to Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Pete Lowe. The Government announced plans to make cuts of up to £22 million this year due to reductions in grants.

SPEED CAMERA CUTS
From April, the amount of speed cameras in operation in Birmingham and the Black Country will be halved, with West Midlands Police paying £1 million to keep them in action after local authorities cut funding due to the recent budget cuts.

NEW HOSPITAL FACES CUTS
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston faces cuts of up to £22 million from the South Birmingham Primary Care Trust as part of the cuts.

BRIERLEY HILL COUNCILLOR SLAMS DUDLEY CUTS
A Brierley Hill councillor has claimed that the budget cuts in Dudley will create a "lost generation" of young people as the council announced plans this week to save £35 million from their budget.

ANGER OVER TRAIN STATION CUTS
Users of Stourbridge Town and Junction railways have hit out over plans to cut staff and the opening times at the stations.