Wide ranging efficiency savings totalling £15million were today approved by North Lanarkshire Council's Policy and Resources Committee.

First Stage of budget savings passed

The measures, to be implemented during the financial year 2010/ 11, will now go forward to be ratified at a meeting of the full council later this month.

Among savings approved were:

* A drive to reduce staff sickness absence (£1.63 million)

* New office equipment contract (£119,000)

* Changes in waste disposal (£138,000)

* A review of furnishings and fittings across the Council's extensive estate(£170,000) *Savings in brackets

The committee rejected proposals by officials including the introduction of parking charges across all council-owned public car parks, introducing fees for community alarms and reducing the Home Support Taper, a discount enjoyed by clients requiring the service.

Other measures rejected included:

* A review of the rare breeds collection at Palacerigg Country Park

* The proposed closure of Craigneuk Library

* A proposed reduction of the home safety service

* Reviews of cleaning provision within primary and secondary schools across the council area.

North Lanarkshire Council, in common with every Scottish local authority, is facing at least four years of budget reductions as a result of public spending cuts imposed in the wake of the global financial crisis and a reduction in settlement from the Scottish Government.

In addition to the £15 million efficiency savings next year, the council is expected to make budget reductions totalling at least £60 million in the following three years to 2014.

Gavin Whitefield, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "The full range of proposals approved by committee will be considered at the next meeting of the full council on November 26th, 2009.

"The aim of the measures is to minimise impact on frontline services while maintaining North Lanarkshire Council's excellent record of efficiency, the result of which has allowed more than £55million to be invested in vital local services over recent years and ensuring we put Service and People First in everything we do."

Council leader Jim McCabe said: "We have had to face tough decisions, and there will be further tough decisions to take in the next few years.

"However, we are committed to protecting services as much as possible and to looking after the most vulnerable in our society. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that these aims are met."