THE first round of the Mayor's budget has been agreed despite opposition.

Proposals to save £3.4m, which include the removal of 54 posts of which 16 are vacant, were approved at Lewisham's full council meeting held at the Civic Suite, Catford.

A total of £89,000 proposed savings were withdrawn and savings worth £175,000 were deferred until the autumn.

But there was opposition from the Liberal Democrats, the Socialists and the Conservatives over the timing of the cuts.

Conservative councillor David Britton said: "We are cutting the budgets for crime reduction services management, the youth offending team and wardens.

"This is sending the wrong message at the moment."

Mayor Steve Bullock said: "This package of proposals has been extensively discussed at cabinet and at overview and scrutiny.

"The council is an organisation which has a turnover of £9m a year. We have a big responsibility to deliver services as best as we can for the people of this borough."