MASSIVE cut-backs totalling more than £3 million will have to be made by Worcester City Council next year, the authority has announced.

At a press conference this afternoon, Tory council leader Simon Geraghty revealed the council’s already dire financial situation has worsened considerably over the past 12 months.

An independent financial study commissioned by the council has uncovered the full extent of the Guildhall crisis, with management consultants Mouchel reporting today that nearly £6 million will have to be saved in the next four years - and around half of it in the coming financial year.

Coun Geraghty said an announcement on how the money is to be saved will not be made until next month, but confirmed some services will have to be cut back to bridge the budget gap.

“Clearly this is a serious situation facing the council,” he said. “I would not want to take away from the fact the council will in its budget have to make some serious decisions.”

The ruling Tory cabinet will announce its draft budget for next year early in December, with a final decision due to be made by the full council in February 2009. Any cut-backs would then begin to bite when the 2009-10 financial year begins in April.

Chief executive David Wareing said: “Our situation is not isolated - in the current economic climate, many district councils across England are facing severe financial pressures, together with the necessity to significantly reduce spending.

“Our priority going forward will be to identify how we can best make the recommended savings while ensuring a minimal reduction to the front-line council services we currently offer.”