Up to 200 jobs could go at Calderdale Council in the next three years.

And hard-pressed households will likely have their council tax frozen from April.

The details are contained in the draft budget proposals announced last night.

Clr Tim Swift said there would be a review of staff numbers offering early retirement, voluntary redundancy or re-training for council staff to be re-deployed.

Reducing staff numbers would save £6.1m over the next three years.

He said: “The savings taking place in the next 12 months are what has already been voted through 12 to 18 months ago.

“Looking at the next three years, there will be a workforce development programme.

“At the moment there are places where the council, looking long term, can still reduce the number of staff we have.

“There will be staff consultations and discussions with the trade unions.

“It is difficult to be precise but between 2010 and 2013 council employees has reduced by 600 FTE (full time equivalents) and in the next three years we could see 200 less members of staff than we do today.”

Clr Swift said of freezing council tax: “We know that household budgets are being squeezed at the moment, with the increase in the cost of living, and that any help which we can give to keep bills down will be very welcome.

We have been able to freeze next year’s council tax at the current rate by making sensible savings over the past three years through the innovation, hard work and improvements in efficiency introduced by our staff.”

The council faces a Government grant cut from £45.1m next year to potentially £26.7m in two years’ time and the draft budget proposals include higher cuts in 2015/16 and onwards, with a further £17m of savings to be found.

Clr Janet Battye, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said of the budget proposals: “It looks like shaving of services – the devil will be in the detail.”

People can have their say at three public meetings: 7pm to 9pm on Thursday, January 16 at Halifax Town Hall; 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday January 29 at Brighouse Civic Hall; 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday February 4 at Hebden Bridge Town Hall.

Draft budget shows:

£1m saved in 2016/17 by reducing pay rise from 2% to 1%.

£50,000 less in staffing costs in economy and environment in 2015/16.

£600,000 less in waste services thorough a renegotiated contract with Sita.

Clr Swift said it didn’t mean they had been over-charged in previous years, adding: “It has been found by re-organising the rounds and in having a longer contract they were willing to cut their profit margin.”

£100,000 less in 2015/16 in transport costs for waste disposal.

£100,000 saving in buying new waste food bags.

£195,000 from a West Yorkshire Joint Services review.

Changes in Public Health running costs will save £600,000 in 2014/15 with a further £850,000 saved in each of the two years thereafter.

£70,000 saved in realigning street cleaning operations with the loss of two posts.

£240,000 savings in communities portfolio, with 15 fewer posts.

£100,000 saved in a review of finance services with the loss of four jobs.

A whole system of mental health services will be reviewed, with £300,000 each in two years to be saved, not by reducing staff numbers though.