GOVERNMENT cutbacks will have a real and noticeable impact for years to come, a council leader has warned.

Gateshead Council’s Labour leader Mick Henry was speaking after his cabinet agreed its 2014-15 budget proposals, including cuts of £15.4m but a freeze on council tax for the fourth consecutive year.

Children’s centres will have their hours reduced, youth work will be “more targeted” and the council will look to outsource the management of bowling greens and sports pitches and maintenance of flower beds.

Funding to the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Sage Gateshead and Baltic and Shipley art galleries will be cut, charges for some services will be increased and around 157 jobs will be lost.

Coun Henry said: “Like anyone managing a budget, we’ve faced some difficult choices.

“It’s not possible to reduce the budget by such a large amount without it impacting on everyone somewhere.

“How we apply these reductions to council spending will make a real noticeable impact on people in our communities.

“It could make the difference between continuing to receive support from the council and someone living in poverty.”

A full council meeting will set the budget on Thursday (February 27).