COST-cutting plans that could see job losses and increased fees have been given the green light by council chiefs.

Members of Bournemouth Council’s cabinet have backed plans to streamline its housing and parks departments in a bid to save millions.

The departments are responsible for delivering a vast range of services, including grounds maintenance, beach cleaning, housing repairs, rent collection and bereavement service.

They have been reviewed as part of the council’s “transformation” programme and the latest proposals, which will take effect from next April, could see 26 jobs go.

Plans to cut costs include integrating all housing services into a single service unit and relocating the team from the town hall to Vale Road, integrating all grounds maintenance services into a single service area and transferring bereavement services into a new housing, parks and bereavement service unit.

Reducing staff levels, including losing a service director post, would save the council more than £5million between 2013/14 and 2019/20.

Cllr Robert Lawton, housing portfolio holder, said: “I believe this review will give us a more efficient council.

“The services that the council provides are not greatly affected.”

Cllr Michael Weinhonig, member for Strouden Park, said: “We’re not going to see cuts to frontline services, but better cuts to the grass.”

But Labour opposition councillor Dennis Gritt said: “The housing and parks department is the jewel in the crown of this council in my opinion.

“I’d hate to see any of that go – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If there are any job losses I hope they are of a voluntary nature.”

Leader Cllr John Beesley added: “We’re confident that yet again we will be able to deliver that reduction in staffing and reduction in costs with a minimal number of compulsory redundancies.”

Further money-making ideas for consideration include increasing crematorium fees, increasing fees for mandatory licensing and charging for immigration inspections.

Other services that could be looked at in the future include landscaping and grass cutting, sports charges and park concessions.