Notts County Council leader Kay Cutts and chief executive Mick Burrows have spoken about the controversial County Hall budget plans. The authority is looking to save £85m over the next three years. Up to 470 jobs are under threat as the council looks to invest £31m into services which are now facing a greater demand. Several charges have been introduced or increased which will affect older people. CHRIS BIRKLE asked the questions about the thinking behind the plans.

QUESTION: How difficult has it been for the council to make these decisions?

Mr Burrows: The most difficult decisions are the ones that effect people directly, both users and the staff that work for us.

Every local authority in this country is facing similar decisions. We are not alone.

We are conscious this is the beginning of an ongoing process. These are proposals, not final decisions.

Coun Cutts: There were a lot of hard decisions to make.

The public have been pretty hard hit in the past. They have had council tax increases.

We have tried extremely hard not to hit the vulnerable and the poor.

QUESTION: How did you expect staff and the public to react?

Coun Cutts: I expected staff to be worried for their futures. It is a natural reaction. They need to be reassured very few posts are going to go altogether.

Mr Burrows: We are going to have a full and proper consultation with staff. We know it's going to be difficult for those individuals in service areas outlined for reductions.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts about the scale of job cuts?

Coun Cutts: We take no pleasure in any of this. But we have to take these decisions. That's what we are elected to do.

Every member of staff will feel it is a high number. But a lot of these posts are vacant.

QUESTION: Why was the decision made to sell all the council's residential care homes?

Coun Cutts: We made a manifesto pledge not to close old people's homes.

They are being sold as going concerns. That means all the people that are in these homes will remain in them. We feel there are other people better placed to run these homes. It also enables us to save money.

QUESTION: How do you justify the extra charges to elderly people?

Coun Cutts: We have looked at all the councils around us and brought our charges into line with these.

I think people will think the charges have gone up a lot. I wish it could have been more gradual.

Charges for home care, access to day centres and residential care are going to be assessed on need.

QUESTION: Why was the decision made to freeze council tax next year in light of the unavoidable budget pressures?

Coun Cutts: We made a manifesto commitment. A lot of people can barely afford to pay their council tax. We are the highest taxing shire county.

Many older people are on fixed incomes. Some younger people don't have the jobs they had before, others have had to take pay cuts. There are real pressures on households.

QUESTION to Coun Cutts: Why did you not speak to protesters outside County Hall?

Coun Cutts: I was unable to meet them because I need to hold myself in reserve for a panel (set up to deal with disputes over changes to staff terms and conditions). It compromises the position of being neutral.

QUESTION: Is it more difficult than expected to fulfil the Conservative manifesto commitments?

Coun Cutts: I knew they would be difficult but I am not one for not avoiding the difficult things. I look to do the right thing. We intend to honour our pledges.

QUESTION: What will the effect of the county council budget be on the district councils?

Mr Burrows: There are a number of budget proposals that directly impact on our district and borough partners. Behind that is an overarching position of how we work better together in not duplicating services.

QUESTION: How do you feel about the relationship with the city council?

Coun Cutts: I have a very good personal relationship with Jon Collins, Graham Chapman and Jane Todd. There are more areas where we agree than disagree.

QUESTION: Why change the way we grit the roads?

Coun Cutts: Our salt used to be kept outside in the rain. Now it is covered. It is also a different type of salt that can go further and is easier to spread. It is just as safe.

QUESTION: Why axe the 'weeks of action' initiative?

Coun Cutts: Rather than spend a lot of money on a media event money will be used to help people all the time.

QUESTION: Why charge for parking permits?

Mr Burrows: It is only going to be imposed where people want permits. Other local authorities charge. We will not be out of kilter.

QUESTION: How do you feel the communication of the budget was handled?

Coun Cutts: I was very disappointed this was leaked. We had a duty to inform staff and members first.

Mr Burrows: One person decided to leak it and that is totally inappropriate. It shows a total lack of respect for colleagues.

We had a very careful and considered strategy with plans in place to inform staff.

QUESTION: Where do you see the council in three years' time?

Coun Cutts: I don't want to be in a situation where school results don't improve. They will improve under us.

I don't want to be in a situation where people feel they are so directed in their lives they have no choice in them.

I want to put Robin Hood and Notts back on the map so people want to come here. I want people to say it's a good place to visit.

QUESTION: The council has made hard decisions with cuts. What investments will we see?

Coun Cutts: We want to make improvements to Rufford Country Park. We want to make Holme Pierrepont a class place. We want to make sure Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre is not disappointing. We want to improve schools.

QUESTION: How do you feel it has gone since the summer election?

Coun Cutts: Change is always difficult. I have a first class team of councillors and extremely good relationship with the staff.

Mr Burrows: I am confident with the management team I have got, with the incredible difficulties, Notts County Council will continue to deliver good services.