Funding reductions mean tough times ahead for staff
Published Tuesday 18th January 11 in Council - news and information releases news
Like many organisations the Council faces the difficult task of identifying where cutbacks and further cost efficiencies need be made in 2011/12 following a significant reduction in Government grants.
The Council has proposed a number of ways to make its services more efficient, avoid duplication, and reduce non-statutory work, but unfortunately there has to be a reduction in jobs as well.
A total of 178 posts across the authority have been identified as being at risk in 2011/12. Through rigorous vacancy management 71 of these are currently vacant.
Councillor Nigel Holdcroft, Leader of the Council, said: "Big changes will have to be made across all departments now and in the future to ensure the Council can deliver even better value for money.
"The Council has made every effort to protect frontline services and minimise the number of staff adversely affected and we are looking at a number of ways to reduce the impact of redundancies, including early retirement and voluntary redundancy.
"Employees working in the affected areas and the trade unions have been fully briefed, and a full package of support is being made available for staff at risk, including 1:1 advice, job search, interview help, training, and counselling.
"This will naturally be a difficult time for staff and we will make sure that all the appropriate support is made available to help them through the process."