Labour Councillors, union reps and volunteer workers have all expressed their concerns at plans by Suffolk County Council to respond to a 30% funding cut by “fundamentally” reshaping the way it works, reported today's East Anglian Daily Times.

Speaking to the EADT, Sandy Martin, leader of the Suffolk County Labour Group, said he was unhappy with the solution and that some councillors and officers seemed to be “relishing” the chance to offload services.

He said: “It’s very vague. I believe it’s un-deliverable. If they think they can make 30% cuts in Suffolk County Council services then they are deluded.

“And not only will we see a situation where there is no way they can make the efficiency savings they are planning, but also demand for statutory services is going to rise. The Government’s policies of making people redundant will lead to more people requiring council services.”

He added: “There are some people in the county council, both politically and members of staff, who don’t really believe in public services and are in a sense relishing this reason for outsourcing and privatising and shifting things into the private sector. I think that’s very sad.”

A spokeswoman for UNISON said the “swingeing” cuts had been put forward with “little thought to the consequences for the people of Suffolk, the many workers who deliver them and the local economy”.

She said: “It’s vital that people understand exactly what this means. This is a 30% cut to local services and the people who will feel the pinch are the old, vulnerable and the young people in our communities. The effects will be felt in home care, road safety, highways, schools, fire and community safety to name just a few of the council services we all value.”