A leisure centre in Willenhall, West Midlands, could be forced to close under new draft budget proposals drawn up by Walsall Council in a bid to cut expenditure by more than £11.2m.

The spending plans, which are to be subject to public consultation, will be based on a £137.2m grant from central government and could also require a provisional 4.5 per cent increase in council tax. One of the measures being proposed is the closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre, which is set to save the council more than £216,500 during the first year, including security costs. In the long-term, the closure could save nearly £300,000 a year.

Staff numbers at a local history centre and the exhibition programme at Walsall Museum are also expected to be reduced as part of the proposals, which aim to secure £8.3m for areas such as child protection. Walsall Council's cabinet member for finance and personnel, Chris Towe, said: "Everyone is well aware of the tough economic climate we are in and we have faced some very difficult decisions.

"All services have been required to make savings and this budget is very tightly focused on the council's key priorities, which will allow us to support those areas in greatest need."