YORK’S Labour leader has warned no library, care home or swimming pool is safe, following the news City of York Council will lose nearly £8 million of Government cash next year.

As reported in The Press yesterday, the Government’s formula grant for York has been slashed by 13.3 per cent (£7.632 million) in 2011/12 and 10.1 per cent (£4.639 million) in 2012/13.

Coun James Alexander said the savage cuts would have a “devastating” impact on York residents.

He said the loss of Government money, combined with increased funding pressures, would leave the council with a £15 million black hole, which could only be filled by service cuts and job losses. He said: “The cuts just got real for York and no library, care home or swimming pool is safe. Labour’s priority is the protection of essential services for vulnerable people.”

Meanwhile, Coun Ruth Potter, a member of the North Yorkshire Police Authority, warned frontline policing would be hit hard by the cuts in Home Office funding.

She said: “North Yorkshire Police acknowledges that there will be a reduction of 200 police officers over the next four years.

“Next year there is likely to be 50 fewer officers on the streets of York and North Yorkshire. The picture is worse than early analysis following the Government cuts suggested.”