JOBS and public services could be at risk, after Welwyn Hatfield Council revealed it will need to cut almost �2 million out of its budget next year.

In a leaked email seen by the Welwyn Hatfield Times, workers have been told the authority will have to find savings of �1.7m in 2011/12.

In an email sent to all borough council staff this week, chief executive Michel Saminaden said the coalition Government’s drastic cuts in public spending had put pressure on all local authorities in the country.

He wrote: “The executive board and cabinet have been discussing the situation and on Thursday of last week we agreed in principle a way forward to achieve a �1.7m cut in budget.

“Cabinet has identified specific areas to be reviewed in order to achieve these savings.”

Sources close to the Welwyn Hatfield Times fear services which could be at risk include the Douglas Tilbe House day centre – which only last month received an emergency �30,000 in funding – Mill Green Museum and waste and recycling provision.

For more on this story, see this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times, out today (Wednesday).