Wiltshire Council faces a tough challenge in the year ahead as it needs to make savings of about £30 million.

The central government grant that Wiltshire Council will have in 2015/16 is £15.2 million less than in this financial year.

Yesterday’s provisional settlement announcement states Wiltshire Council will receive £103.8m in government grant, down 13 per cent on last year’s figure of £119m.

The council said this combined with the pressures from additional demand for services, and inflation, will mean it needs to make savings of £30m.

Valuable services such as highways, libraries, social care and waste collection and disposal will all need to be managed effectively with a 13 per cent drop in funds.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “We were expecting funding to be reduced and have been carefully planning with that in mind so this announcement comes as no surprise.

“As a council we are on top of our finances and we will continue to champion new ways of working and funding while ensuring we continue to be cost effective and provide those key services that residents rely on.

“Each year the challenge gets tougher; however, we remain dedicated to achieving our key priorities - protecting those most vulnerable, boosting the local economy and working with local communities to encourage and support them to do more for themselves.

"We remain committed to providing those key services and keeping Wiltshire buoyant, vibrant and a great place to live and work.”