KIRKLEES Council plans to slash its capital spending by more than half over the next four years.

Draft plans for the council’s capital budget reveal cuts of nearly 60% (£114m) between 2012 and 2016.

The proposed plans were put to Kirklees councillors yesterday.

The council’s capital budget, which pays for buildings and other major projects, is funded by a grant from central government in Westminster.

By comparison, revenue which is funded by council tax and business rates, is used for day-to-day services.

Kirklees’ draft capital investment plan for 2012/13 to 2015/16 reveals plans to cut spending from £189m this financial year to £75m in 2015/16.

Although wellbeing and communities spending will increase from £6.4m this year to £21.9m in 2013/14, it will drop to £570,000 in 2015/16.

Spending on children and young people’s services will decrease from £40m to £32m over the same period.

Housing expenditure through private finance initiative (PFI), a partnership between the council and private companies to build housing and other projects, will decrease from £34m this year to £237,000 in 2015/16.

Kirklees Lib Dem leader Kath Pinnock criticised the plan.

Clr Pinnock said: “We’re concerned about roads and buildings crumbling and leisure centres being neglected.

“It’s a very poor plan. We’re getting Government cuts but that’s why the council needs to have a thorough new look at it.

“There needs to be an overhaul of the plan and the setting of priorities, such as for older people and schools and roads.”