Enfield Council’s new finance chief has warned further cuts to services are set to hit the borough.

Cllr Dino Lemonides, who recently replaced Andrew Stafford as cabinet member for finance and efficiency, said future uncertainties around the phasing out of government funding means more savings could be required.

The council has had to save £118 million since 2010 because of reductions in funding from central government, and needs to cut £56 million more by 2020.

Cllr Lemonides said: “Although I am pleased we are keeping a tight rein on the council’s budget, it is clear that thanks to significant cuts to our budget from central government that further savings will continue to affect council services across the board.

“The money we need to find by 2020 is more than we currently spend annually on cleaning the streets, collecting the bins and lighting our streets, so we are absolutely committed to finding new and innovative ways of providing services to minimise the burden on residents.

”The scale of the savings we have already had to deliver mean that efficiencies are no longer enough. Difficult decisions about the future of services across the board are having to be made.

“However, as a local authority we are doing everything we can to ensure we are a council that is flexible, responsive and organised around the needs of our residents.”

Among the cuts the council have made so far are £1.7million from youth services, losing a range of courses such as after school clubs for pupils aged 11 and over, life skills courses, and careers advice.

The council have also withdrawn £43,000 in Supporting People funding to Enfield Disability Action (EDA)’s Deaf Project Service, and are looking to make money by renting space in library buildings to other organisations such as Age UK Enfield.