A FRESH round of cuts will hit North Herts after the district’s budget was approved last week.

Savings of �609,000 will be found in 2012 after cuts of nearly �2m last year due to a decline in grants allotted by central government.

In cash terms it has slumped by �2.7m since 2010/11.

A raft of new savings were agreed at last Thursday’s Full Council meeting, although 60 per cent of the efficiencies had already been outlined.

Staff numbers will be affected with the budget axed by �170,000, however at the time of going to press no details on redundancy numbers were available.

Cllr Terry Hone, NHDC’s deputy leader and finance portfolio holder, said: “Opportunities to make savings of around �170,000 from proposals to further reduce staffing levels have arisen as a result of legislative changes, and reviewing and amending structures when vacancies occur.

“We are unable to comment further on the details until we have completed the required consultation with the staff who may be affected by the proposals.”

The district will also wash its hands of the running of some of the district’s public toilets.

Leaving Royston Town Council to possibly run the Cross facilities, which could be paid for by a precept increase of 3p.

Fish Hill’s award winning loo will be retained by the authority.

Cllr Terry Hone, NHDC portfolio holder for finance, said: “We are committed to continually striving to deliver value for money to residents, including finding new ways to deliver services.

“It is growing harder each year to come up with savings but we will continue to investigate new ways of balancing our books while still providing vital services for residents.”

Council tax will also be frozen after the authority accepted a �247,000 sweetener from central government.