'˜I'll fight these cuts to mydying breath'

County Councillor Sarah Dodds (Lab, Louth North) hands over a petition to Roxy Warrick at Royston's Deli in Queen Street, Louth.

Lincolnshire County Council has warned frontline services are under threat - along with more than 160 bus routes - as it looks to save more than £170million over the next four years and around £40million in the next 12 months.

Council leader Martin Hill has welcomed the announcment that Lincolnshire will receive an extra £7.7m of Government funding over the next two years following intense lobbying from the county’s MPs .

But Coun Hill admits the authority still faces some ‘huge decisions’ at a key budget meeting on Friday when the scale of cuts will be outlined,

Louth-based councillor Sarah Dodds (Labour) has delivered a grim warning ahead of that meeting and apologised to residents.

She said: ”Even though I knew what was coming, I am gutted to read it in black and white.

“ Rest assured, I will oppose cuts like this until my dying breath.

“I am so very, very sorry for those about to lose jobs over this.

“And I am so sorry for those who use, rely on and appreciate the services that are about to face the chop.

“What the Government don’t realise is that these cuts will not save any money. All they are doing is moving cost further down the public system where it will be felt in the acute sector, when people are in more need.

“It is all so wrong financially and morally. Slow handclap to the Government.

“And to quote a business owner in Louth who talked to me about the bus cuts last week: ‘We will never forgive them for this.’

“I, for one, never will.”

Coun Dodds was backed by Horncastle salwart Coun Bill Aron (Independent).

Speaking at a town council meeting last week, Coun Aron warned people to prepare themselves for ‘absolutely horrific cuts’. Coun Aron has already pledged to support residents fighting proposed cuts to bus services - particularly in rural communties in the Wolds.

However, he warned the scale of cuts would affect virtually every service provided by the county council - from home care to pothole repairs.

Coun Aron said: “This will affect everyone.”

'˜I'll fight these cuts to mydying breath' - councillor