STREAMLINING services, making 1,500 job cuts and renting out parts of county hall were just some of the money saving proposals given the green light by the county leaders today.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet met this morning to give the proposals, which will see a saving of £27 million over the coming financial year, their backing.

The blue print is part of an overall plan to make savings of £98 million through the shrinking of the council and the expectation that 85 percent of services could be commissioned to external providers.

This latest report highlights progress so far - at this stage the council has made savings of £30.8 million in 2011/12, £19.6 million during 2012/13, £17 million in the last financial period and £8.5 million of a predicted £30.5 million so far this year - as well as detailing how the next raft of cuts will be made.

Some of the major proposals include the rationalisation of staffing levels in line with the council's 40 percent smaller future operating model, reduction in directly provided services and forecast reduction in customer complaints as well as the commissioning of ICT, housing support for young people, customer services and other service directorate and support services functions.

The council intend to make better use of county hall, making space available to rent, they plan to reduce the HR budget by £180,000, improve the efficiency of the Worcestershire hub and offer a more successful children's social care model so as enabling them to make savings of £375,000 in both 2016/17 and 2017/18 by cutting posts.

The report also looked at working with County Enterprise, a factory employing some disabled people, to help it become self sustaining and ultimately stop the £150,000 subsidy currently funded by the county, it aims to place 120 looked after children with in-house carers over three years to save £2 million, and to integrate adult social care and health services between the council and the NHS.

A total of 43 areas were put forward as possible places where savings could be made, but there is still a shortfall in savings of £5 million, but councillors hope suggestions for savings will be made at upcoming roadshows.

As part of the new model around 2,000 people will remain working for the council, but through the commissioning of services the cabinet said they hoped to see posts transferred and not lost.

Simon Geraghty, deputy leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: "In terms of next year, it is a year when some of these changes will really come to life and become real for people.

"I believe we have an excellent track record of delivering these savings."

Cllr Geraghty also highlighted positive impacts, including the World Class Worcestershire project, which centres on bringing projects such as the Worcestershire Parkway, to fruition. and adding a gross value to the city of £2.9 billion.

Cllr John Campion, cabinet member with responsibility for transformation and change, said they were getting to the stage of seeing the fruits of earlier work.

"We see it as the alternative to straight salami slicing," he added, referring to the council's approach to the merging all areas of the business, streamlining and commissioning in order to make the necessary cuts.

"The target is to put services forward through commissioning and the expectation is that 85 percent will be commissioned."

But the cabinet were clear the commissioning of projects would not see the council lose control as they would still manage all areas.

Cllr Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member with responsibility for localism and communities, enforced the importance of volunteers getting involved as they had done successfully with many county libraries - meaning none have been closed as yet. And added councillors should also be skilled.

Cllr Geraghty added: "There is a period of intense change. I think we are one of the most productive parts of the public sector now."

To the staff he said: "Yes I know it's tough, but I am positive about the future."

The council is now planning a period of public Have Your Say consultations: Friday, November 21, from 10am to 3pm at Asda Supermarket, Pershore; Saturday, November 29, from 10am until 3pm at Malvern Retail Park, Roman Way, Malvern and on Saturday, December 13, at 10am to 3pm at Crowngate Shopping Centre, Worcester.