LIBRARIES, youth centres, subsidised bus services and children’s centres could close under proposals unveiled by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon last night as part of a package designed to cut nearly £14m – including up to 123 jobs – from next year’s budget.

Mr Mallon outlined 79 possible budget savings at an extraordinary meeting of Middlesbrough Council – but pledged that, wherever possible the vulnerable, disabled and elderly would be protected.

The blacklist of cuts and savings, which will now go to public consultation, includes a reduction in the number of street wardens saving £450,000 and cutbacks to Streetscene, town centre management, street lighting and highways totalling a further to £525,000.

Several libraries, children’s centres and youth centres are earmarked for closure during 2012-13, as is Clairville Stadium and Tennis World, which would be put up for sale.

He also said that 30 senior management posts at the council could be axed with a saving of £1,525,000.

However, he warned the proposals amounted to only £10.3m out of the total £14.8m that had to be saved.

“We have to have certain priorities, we have to protect the vulnerable people, the disabled and old people wherever possible,” he said.

“On top of that we have to protect universal services such as street cleaning and emptying the bins. These are also vital. And we have got to, where possible, protect the town centre – it is the engine room, we have to make Middlesbrough a destination.

Middlesbrough ranks among one of the most deprived towns in the country.

The 2010 Index of Multiple Deprivation show that six of the 23 wards are among the most deprived one per cent of wards nationally.

As a result of the Government’s comprehensive spending review in October last year, the town’s budget over the next four years is being slashed by about £50m.

Mr Mallon said savings of £15m this financial year would be achieved, but welcomed suggestions from the public on how the £3.5m shortfall next year could be met.

“I do not want to see these services reduced like everybody else,” he added. “Like you, I am uncomfortable with all of this, so any help you can give would be welcome.

“This is a climate of creativity, if you have ideas and they are a bit off the wall, let us have them.”