A series of measures to cut public services, make salary savings and remove staff training budgets were approved at the One Corby Policy Committee meeting this week.

The measures include introducing parking charges at the Corby East Midlands International Swimming Pool and East Carlton Park in a bid to save a total of £105,000 in running costs over the next two years. Hanging baskets and bedding plants on traffic islands will also be removed and residents wanting replacement wheelie bins will be charged.

Deputy leader of Corby Council Mark Pengelly said: "We're trying not to cut anything that will hit anyone severely.

"As a political group, we've asked the officers if they can work around a three per cent increase in council tax.

"We know people have been made redundant and have had their wages cut and we don't think it's fair to increase it anything above three per cent.

"The playschemes will be one of the first things to come back in."

The list of 34 non-salary reductions is now set to go out to public consultation and will have to be discussed by the full council before being approved.

Cllr Pengelly and council leader Pat Fawcett are to meet senior officers of the authority today to see if there is anything that can be saved that will minimise the impact on the public.

Members of both opposition parties on the committee voted against the proposed cuts.

Leader of the Conservative opposition group, Cllr David Sims, said: "The people of Corby expect value for money. I don't think they will get that with these proposals."

The Liberal Democrats also opposed the proposals.