Commenting on the BBC survey on council spending cuts, Dame Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:
“Whoever wins the next election, local authorities and other parts of the public sector know they face the prospect of having to do more with less. A spending slowdown will inevitably mean tough decisions have to be taken, but councils will do everything they can to protect frontline services.
“In tough financial times, democratically elected councils have a vital role to play to ensure that people still get the services they demand and deserve. Countless organisations are involved in delivering services to local areas, and there is scope to make big savings in public spending without affecting the frontline.
“Local government is already the most efficient part of the public sector, achieving billions of pounds worth of savings and consistently outperforming government targets. Councils will continue to make more savings where they can and be as efficient as possible, but this is a challenge all parts of the public sector will have to rise to as well.”
On possible job cuts in local government, Dame Margaret said: