SWINGEING cuts in public services delivered by Somerset County Council will be "disastrous" for residents in West Somerset and beyond, opposition councillors have warned.

The Conservative controlled authority this week revealed how it plans to save £30 million in the next year in a bid to fill a predicted £106 million black hole in its finances by 2017.

Around 60 jobs could be axed, with a further 300-plus staff taken out of local authority employment if heritage services, including museums, are moved to a not-for-profit trust and Somerset Skills and Learning becomes a social enterprise business.

And recycling centres, previously hit hard by cutbacks, are likely to be targeted again, with some facing closure.

Cllr Ross Henley, Liberal Democrat deputy leader on the authority, said the proposed series of cuts would impact on people right across the county.

The first phase of cuts outlined, which would deliver savings of around £7m, include cutting free school transport for around 240 children whose journey to school is currently along what are considered dangerous roads.

The council aims to make the bus trips redundant by improving paths and road safety projects on around 33 identified routes.

Spending on verge cutting, drainage, hedge trimming and weed control would also be cut, with further cutbacks on rights of way maintenance, canal paths and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Quantocks.

Posts could be removed in the countryside, ecology and associated teams, with the job of the countryside team manager earmarked for the chop.

And the cutbacks could also mean the end of funding for the Somerset Visitor Centre at Sedgemoor Services.

Somerset Waste Partnership, which involves all five of Somerset's district councils as well as the county council, will also be asked to make savings which could lead to poorly used community recycling sites closing - although no details are available as yet.

However, with restructuring, some of the busiest centres could return to seven day a week opening.

Changes to the way the council's learning disabilities service operate are also planned, with some older buildings sold off.

But as well as making cuts, the council is hoping to help bridge its financial gap by raising income.

Money-boosting proposals include charging for some services for the first time and increasing fees, including for marriages, where costs could rise between £80 and £130, with charges set to range from £420 to £600 for tying the knot on a bank holiday.

The authority is also hoping to shave around £300,000 off its energy bills by investing in a new LED lamps replacement programme for Somerset's 54,000 street lights.

And more street lights could be dimmed or switched off through part of the night in a bid to save further money.

The proposals are due to go before the council's scrutiny committee and cabinet within the next fortnight, with further proposed savings debated in January and February as the council sets its annual budget.

Council leader Cllr John Osman said it was a very tough year for Somerset.

"This first phase of savings has been incredibly difficult," he said.

"We have run roadshows and consultation events to listen to the public and in some cases we have changed or even stopped suggested proposals as a result of what we have learned."

But the cutbacks have been condemned by opposition councillors, with Cllr Henley claiming the Conservative administration had shown the wrong priorities for Somerset.

"Cllr Osman should be looking a ways to protect such key services," he said.

"The potential loss of further jobs and reduced security for employees at County Hall will only further dent morale amongst county council staff and their families, particularly ahead of the festive period."

Cllr Henley said closing recycling centres would be a cut that cost more, leading to an increase in fly tipping.

"And turning off street lights will make many residents feel unsafe - families, the elderly and people needing to walk or cycle to and from work will feel this impact the most.

"These proposals clearly show that the administration has no sense of prioritising the services that people rely on and need."

The council is calling on the public to take part in consultations and its 'balancing act' exercise on its website and Facebook page, to give vital feedback and comment.

More information on how to comment is available by clicking on the 'have your say' tab at http://www.somerset.gov.uk">www.somerset.gov.uk or visiting http://www.sccbalancingact.co.uk">www.sccbalancingact.co.uk.