Wiltshire Council has unveiled proposals for how it plans to save £30 million during the next year.

More than 100 areas where savings can be made have been identified, it says, including charging for garden waste collections, finding office efficiencies in support services and changing street lighting times.

The first meetings take place this week where members of the public are encouraged to give their views on the challenges the council faces, the first taking place at Chippenham Town Hall last night.

A spokesman said: "Wiltshire Council currently spends around £900 million each year on more than 350 services. Changing demographics, such as people living longer coupled with inflation and further cuts in funding from central government means we have to find more savings.

"Last year we received £119 million from the Government – this year we will get £103.8 million.

"This cut of more than £15 million, combined with the rise in demand for some of our key front line services and inflation costs, means we need to find a further £30 million of savings this coming financial year.

"We have more older people living for longer in Wiltshire (currently 15 per cent higher than the rest of the country) and this places huge demand on our social care and health services.

"We also know that more children need safeguarding and more are in need of our support and care. These key services don’t have a cut-off or ceiling on spend or numbers.

"We also have a growing number of households – which means there’s more demand for services, such as waste and recycling collections.

"Last year the council made savings of £25.5 million by reviewing all its services and looking at what it could deliver more efficiently and by sharing resources.

"The council will continue to invest in the things it thinks are most important. That will mean £66 million for resurfacing roads for the next three years – an 80 per cent increase, along with £33 million on other road maintenance.

"It will mean £65 million being invested in providing infrastructure and jobs – including Porton Science Park and dualling the A350 at Chippenham.

"It will also include an investment of £45 million to provide new homes, extra care and sheltered housing, £46 million to improve existing council housing and £66 million is allocated to provide community campuses and hubs across the county.

"These new campuses will rationalise a range of buildings (often scattered across a community area in various states of disrepair) into a location that is more accessible, can be run more efficiently and will save money, as well as providing local communities with the range of services, facilities and activities that they need and want."

The council says it has identified more than 100 areas where savings can be made.

These include charging for garden waste collections; finding office efficiencies in support services; encouraging efficiencies in voluntary sector services; changing street lighting times and reviewing opening times of household recycling centres.

Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott and cabinet members will attend the meetings to outline the challenges the council faces and hear views of those who attend.

Following last night’s event in Chippenham, further public meetings will be held in Trowbridge, Devizes and Salisbury.

Coun Scott said: “Both national and local media have well publicised the ‘cut-backs’ and the pressures facing public services. These cuts are real – and so is the growing demand for the services that we provide.

“Our proposals focus on innovative ways to find the £30 million of savings that we need to find.

“Our main priority continues to be supporting those who are most vulnerable, as well as taking action to boost the local economy, safeguarding and creating jobs and working with communities to help them to be strong and resilient in order do more for themselves.

“These meetings are an excellent opportunity for us to share the scale of the challenge and to update on the areas where we will continue to make investments.

"These meetings provide the opportunity to hear local views and suggestions for tackling these challenges.”

The next meetings will take place at:

• Atrium in County Hall, Trowbridge, on January 27, 5pm

• Corn Exchange, Devizes, on February 3, 5.30pm

• Salisbury Guild Hall, on February 5, 5.30pm

Refreshments will be served at each event 30 minutes before the start time.

Those wishing to attend should email sharonl.smith@wiltshire.gov.uk

The budget will be discussed and is expected to be agreed at the full council meeting on February 24.