SUFFOLK is preparing to make cuts of £16 million in its spending next year as it expects to receive less from central government.However it is also hoping to divert an extra £10 million into services with £5million extra for vulnerable people, £1 million to transport pupils to school and an extra £2 million for landfill tax.

SUFFOLK is preparing to make cuts of £16 million in its spending next year as it expects to receive less from central government.

However it is also hoping to divert an extra £10 million into services with £5million extra for vulnerable people, £1 million to transport pupils to school and an extra £2 million for landfill tax.

The amount of funding received from Government will not be known until later this year.

Deputy council leader Jane Storey said: " Demand for our services and inflation are rising and we are not receiving the level of funding we need from central government."

She added: "We are faced with difficult decisions, but I believe we will rise to the challenge of caring for our community and at the same time provide value for money for everyone in the county."

On 5th February 2008, the budget recommendations will be considered by county council's Cabinet. The final decision on the level of Council Tax and the budget will be made at a meeting of the full Council on 19th February.

Council leader Jeremy Pembroke, said: "Our job is to care for vulnerable people and provide value for money services for everyone in Suffolk while keeping the council tax as low as possible."

The county's Labour group attacked the administration over the “fantasy numbers” contained in their new budget proposals.

The administration released papers containing the service cuts they plan for next year's budget. However, they claim that they can invest £10m in services while cutting budgets by £16m.

Deputy Labour leader Kevan Lim said: "Another £16m of cuts to services in Suffolk is the price people have to pay for a Conservative run county council.

“Pretending that they are improving services when they are actually making massive cuts in services including social care is deceit on a grand scale"