MORE than 180 jobs could be lost in the latest round of cutbacks at Southampton City Council.

Labour council chiefs say they must plug a £39m black hole in the city’s finances – but that figure will rise to £48m due to other pressures on the council’s services.

They have today announced their plans to meet the gap – but it could mean 183 jobs are lost while council tax is set to increase by 1.99 per cent again.

And they still need to find an extra £12m in order to set their budget in February.

Earlier this year they agreed £9.4m of cuts, more than half of which will involve using capital funds, eg the money raised by selling assets or other assets, to pay off debts.

And now they have outlined £13m of cuts, as well as using one-off pots of funding to meet the gap.

Council finance chief Mark Chaloner said: “The council is facing its biggest ever financial challenge, and we need to make significant savings in the next budget and in the years to come.

“The ongoing cuts to the funding we receive from Central Government leave us with no choice but to look at stopping or reducing services, or delivering services in alternative ways.

“However, we remain committed to protecting vulnerable people and the city’s most needed public services.

“We are working hard to generate income, work with our partners, find internal and external efficiencies and transform so we are fit for the future.

“I would urge residents, communities, businesses and partner organisations to go online and read and comment on the proposals.”

Consultation on the plans will be launched on November 19, with the budget set to be agreed in February.