STAFFING cuts make up almost half of the £11.2 million savings the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council will have to make in its first year to address “immense pressure” on its resources.

Plans for how the new unitary authority plans to spend almost £750 million over 2019/20 have been outlined in its draft budget.

Finance chiefs say that pressure on its funds is largely due to falling government support and a “relentless increase” in demand on its services.

Following the merger of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils in April, the new unitary authority will become the 12th largest in the UK with spending of £735 million.

Savings of £27 million will need to be made over the next three years to plug the forecast gap in funding, despite most people facing a rise in council tax at the same time.

On top of planned £5.3 million cuts to staffing budgets, £500,000 will be saved through a reduction in the number of councillors from 120 to 76.

The council’s first draft budget will be considered by members of the shadow authority’s executive committee on Tuesday (February 12).

In his report to councillors, its interim chief financial officer, Adam Richens, says: “The creation of this new council was a strategic response to the ongoing financial challenges faced by all the local authorities in Dorset.

“These challenges include the impact of the past eight years of austerity which saw protections applied to the NHS, schools, international development, defence and latterly police mean that public spending reductions have, and will continue, to be felt disproportionately by local government.”

He adds: “The council’s finances remain under immense pressure but not only due to the ongoing reductions in government funding.

“Cost increases through such factors as the Living Wage as well as the relentless increase in demand for council services, particularly those related to vulnerable adults and children, will also play a significant role.”

On top of planned cuts, the draft budget also outlines plans to increase its charges across a number of areas, including waste and seafront services.

Bournemouth and Poole residents are set to see a rise to council tax bills over each of the next six years while rates are brought in line with Christchurch.