TORFAEN councillors have approved savings of £9.2 million over the next financial year, with large-scale cuts from areas including schools, housing and social care.

In January it was announced the savings that reduce the authority's overall draft budget from £167 million to £158 million would result in 80 jobs losses.

But at a council meeting yesterday, leader of the council Bob Wellington said extra saving measures meant this number could now be as low as 15.

Cllr Wellington said: "We’ve taken down the job losses, I think it’s under 20, even 15 now."

Assistant Chief Executive of Resources, Nigel Aurelius said: "We’ve been negotiating almost weekly with trade unions and think we might be able to reduce the original estimate of 80 job losses.

"The council has taken measures including reducing its mileage costs from 60 pence a mile to 40 pence a mile.

"Through these measures we hope to significantly minimise if not eliminate the need for compulsory redundancies this year."

The council says the £9.2 million of savings are necessary to cope with rising costs and a 1.7 per cent cash reduction in funding from the Assembly.

The savings include £3.8 million from social care and housing, £1.9 million from the education budget, and £1.1 million from neighbourhood services.

In social care and housing, £100,000 will be saved by increasing the cost of meals on wheels by 30 pence. The authority currently delivers around 140 meals, with hot meals priced at £3.60 and frozen meals at £2.62.

£480,052 will be saved by transferring two out of county residential children's placements to a young persons' hostel.

In neighbourhood services, £68,000 will be saved by removing the additional budget for winter maintenance salt provision.

Savings in education will include £198,334 met from staffing reductions, £52,170 from catering and cleaning services, and £10,000 worth of savings from reducing the use of printing and photocopying.

Nigel Aurelius said: "This is the most difficult budget since Torfaen came into existence and the most difficult times for the public sector."

At the meeting councillors agreed to a council tax rise of 2.99 per cent the increase that will see the average Band D council tax rise by £34.51.

Councillor Wellington said: "We will continue to do our utmost to ensure every pound is put to its best use to keep Torfaen a cleaner, greener and safer place to live."