SERVICE providers have expressed concerns over major cost-cutting measures that are set to be put in place by Darlington Borough Council.

Councillors are expected to give the controversial budget proposals the go-ahead at a meeting in Darlington Town Hall tonight, despite grave concerns from police and health bosses.

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It is feared that the major cuts will affect the most vulnerable people in the town and exacerbate problems that could be prevented if resources were used properly.

Concerns about cuts to health services and whether Darlington Borough Council would be able to meet its national obligations have been voiced by Public Health Britain.

It has particular concerns about how the council spends money given through the Health Ring Fenced Grant to Parliament.

A spokesperson said: “It remains essential that the Grant is only spent on activities whose main or primary purpose is to improve the public health of local populations.’’ It emphasised the need to make sure that public access to GUM services remained.

Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group said it too had concerns about the approach to sexual health and worried that some key areas of the proposals would conflict with government aims to improve health in communities.

It was particularly concerned about the removal of posts in the drug alcohol and tobacco team and taking away contributions to the Balance and Fresh scheme which they say will impact on the town’s ability to deliver services in line with national campaigns.

Another concern was the removal of the positive pathway for young people and stopping funding for the Aspire Service.

A spokesperson said: “This planned reduction in services will impact on our statutory health services as well as the long term health and well-being of children and young people.’’ The CCG also said that a reduced focus on priority areas could produce detrimental medium and longer term impacts on the health and wellbeing of the population and widen the inequalities gap.

Ron Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, said: “We believe the impact of the collective proposals could well be increased crime, anti-social behaviour and increased demand.’’ He highlighted cuts to the anti-social behaviour team and proposals to reduce services and said cuts to the Youth Offending Services could jeopardise the town’s current position as a leader for good practice.

He also expressed worries about the removal of voluntary sector contributions to a number of partner organisations which provide support for vulnerable groups.

The Darlington Local Government branch of UNISON said it felt that the council had not given itself enough time to pin down the way services worked before making drastic cuts.