Rotherham Borough Council’s new budget

The authority needs to cut £23 million for 2015/16, on top of nearly £94 million reductions made since 2010.

The budget, rubber-stamped at Wednesday’s full council meeting, includes:

- A 1.95 per cent council tax increase, bringing in an extra £590,000.

- Axing the Imagination Library reading scheme to save £400,000. Parents will be encouraged to use Booksmart schemes instead.

- Reducing councillors’ allowances, cutting the mayor’s dinner and getting rid of the leader’s car to save more than £200,000.

- Funding for City Learning Centres will be reduced by £200,000.

- Selling off unwanted or unused council buildings to bring in £180,000.

- Funding of £234,000 for outreach youth work engaging with young people at risk of child sexual exploitation.

- Additional social workers will be hired, expected to cost £390,000

- A fund of £200,000 for more support for CSE survivors.

- An extra £200,000 on street cleaning, with a new “rapid response” team dealing with overflowing bins and dog fouling.