Five things to know about Peterborough's budget

A cash-strapped council has proposed increasing taxes, cutting museum opening hours and closing cafes to balance its books.

Peterborough City Council said it will face a shortfall of more than £20m next year to keep essential services going unless it makes savings.

Ahead of a meeting of its scrutiny committees on Wednesday, where councillors will discuss the proposals, we have rounded up five issues on the agenda.

The city council said there would be a "huge budget gap" even if it increased council tax by 4.99% next year, which is the maximum allowed without holding a referendum.

That said, its report to the scrutiny committees recommended this figure for next year and the two subsequent years.

A 4.99% increase in council tax would cost residents of a band D property £83.15 more next year.

In a survey of 1,427 residents, 31% of respondents said they supported the idea of increasing council tax by 6.99% or above.

The council initially proposed closing loss-making cafes at the lido, Flag Fen, Vivacity Premier fitness centre and Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery.

It said it has now listened to feedback suggesting that closing them outright would impact footfall.

"We will therefore work with the operator of these facilities to seek to achieve at least a break-even cafe offer so they can remain open," the council said.

Mothballing the city's lido to cut costs is the only savings proposal that has been rejected outright.

The council said a working party would instead look at all areas of income and expenditure related to the facility.

It recently announced plans to capitalise on the lido – as well as other city landmarks like Central Park – as a potential location for filmmakers.

The council said it had spoken to "many people" since suggesting reducing the number of static libraries in the city from 10 to three.

That included representatives from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and community groups.

The authority is planning a needs assessment before making any detailed recommendations for closure and said these would need to be "based on evidence".

The council has maintained its position that cutting opening hours at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery would save money, but said it would work with staff and volunteers about the plans – and find ways to increase the income brought in by the museum.

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