LABOUR has hit back at claims it is "dithering" over making cuts at Derbyshire County Council.
The authority must save £157 million by 2018 – due to a reduction in its government grants, inflation and demographic pressures, such as an increasingly ageing population.
To address the problem, Labour plans to axe or reduce Derbyshire's mobile library service, shut children's centres and spend less on maintaining streetlights.
About 1,600 staff are also to be made redundant.
However, the opposition Conservative group said the measures do not go far enough.
And councillor Mike Longden, shadow cabinet member for council services, has alleged Labour is not on target to deliver the savings required for 2014-15.
He said the party was "dithering" and that this "could be a disaster".
But council leader Anne Western said her party was on track. She said: "I think it's a nonsense to say we're dithering. They left us in a very difficult position because of the way they set the budget for the (financial) year just gone.
"They pushed £10 million of cuts into the future because they dithered before they lost the election (in May 2013).
"We've picked it up and dealt with it. We've got a sound plan for the next five years. We're further along than other councils in that respect.
"It doesn't mean it's easy. But we're not dithering. We're trying to avoid making cuts which are going to harm people. I will stand by that.
"There are some cuts we've managed not to make straight away to give people more time. It's better to do it that way, because then it's not coming to an abrupt end.
"That's showing compassion and common sense."
The Tories also criticised Labour following the collapse of an £83 million contract for 685 extra care flats in locations across Derbyshire.
The contract was terminated after non-profit care provider Housing 21 ran out of funds to deliver the scheme.
Councillor Wayne Major, shadow cabinet lead for adult care, said it was a sign that "Labour is in danger of imploding and taking our most vulnerable residents with them".
Again, Labour hit back. Councillor Clare Neill, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "It is disappointing that the Conservatives want to score political points over a contract from which the council's partner has withdrawn, because it couldn't borrow money at a rate that made it viable.
"Rather than play politics, they should tell George Osborne to get the country's economy back on its feet."
