HALTON Council is facing cuts of £35 million over the next three years.

By 2020, the authority will have lost £63m, which is 61 per cent of its budget, since 2010.

This year’s budget shortfall of £16m follows a loss of £6m in Government grant funding.

From April, the national living wage could see council costs rise by £2m a year and increased national insurance contributions are likely to add a further bill of £1.3m.

Halton Council leader Cllr Rob Polhill said: “We are getting battered.

“For the first time our external auditors are warning of a financial tipping point next year. It worries me greatly.

“Our priority is looking after the vulnerable who are less able to take care of themselves.

“Now people are expected to pay twice, in national insurance and through council tax.”

The Government’s proposed 2 per cent social care precept on top off the council’s proposed 1.9 per cent increase is set to make this year’s council tax rise the biggest for 10 years.

Council taxpayers in band A face a rise of 60p a week or £31.30 a year, band B could be 70p a week or £36.53 a year more and band D could increase by 90p a week or £46.96 a year.

As most of Halton’s homes are in the lowest tax bands, the 2% rise will only raise £800,000 towards the estimated £4.2m cost of adult social care.

“We are pleading with the Government to look at this again,” said Cllr Polhill.

“We will have to subsidise social care which will put pressure on other services.”

Cuts will see the loss of 55 jobs through freezing vacancies, voluntary redundancy and early retirement.

Since 2010, 455 posts have gone.

“We must pay tribute to our staff,” added Cllr Polhill.

“They live in Halton and want to serve the community.

“But the government is dismantling all the services we are passionate about.

“Our biggest worry is the care service, looking after people who rely on us.”

The 2016 budget will be discussed by the executive board on February 11 and the full council on March 2.