Blackpool Council has today announced proposals to achieve £18.7 million of savings in the next financial year, 2017/18.



It is expected to result in 80 job losses with an additional 70 posts ending.

Cllr Simon Blackburn, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “This year we have tried to protect front line services, as much as we possibly can, by looking at new and creative ways of saving money and generating income.

“Over the next three years we will be assessing the feasibility of transferring existing council services into wholly owned companies. There are financial benefits to establishing these companies and in turn protecting the services that we know are important to the residents of Blackpool that may not have a secure future under the current funding arrangements.

“We are also proposing to borrow £17.5 Million to fund the development of a hotel on the Wilko’s site.

“As a council we have the ability to borrow money at a lower interest rate than others. We need to take this opportunity and use it to our advantage, both to invest in key infrastructure and help businesses in the town to expand whilst guaranteeing the council an income.

“The new tramway will do this, as will the conference centre, as would new high-end hotels, as would new retail, leisure and tourism facilities, as would improved transport links.

“Investing now is absolutely vital to our future to create jobs, to boost visitor numbers, boost the economy, and secure inco