Council to axe 200 jobs
Up to 200 jobs are to be axed by Worcester County Council in a bid to save £18 million over the next three years, it was announced today.
Childrens services and environmental services staff were targeted as the main area for cuts. Up to 80 per cent of the council's expenditure goes on its 18,00 members of staff.
Savings are needed to meet spending requirements and a sharp rise in the recent cost of heating and power supply bills.Cabinet member for finance, Councillor Adrian Hardman, delivered the news at a press conference at County Hall in Worcester today.
He gave an assurance that impact on services would eb kept to a minimum - although the future of the county's three outdoor education centres in Snowdonia, Malvern and Upton Warren were under treat.
The move follows a review of its annual budget which showed it needed to make stringent savings to meet tight government spending targets.
He revealed many of the jobs would be lost in middle management and would hopefully be achieved through voluntary redundancies - though he would not rule out compulsory redundancies.
Councillor Hardman said that all areas of the county could be affected including the Wyre Forest.
A consultation process is now underway with staff and trade unions to agree a way forward.
The authority has already announced its council tax precept of 4.9 per cent for next year after working out its finances early. A full decision is expected to made in February.
Councillor Hardman said: "We have to make these savings to be more efficient. We are under pressure from central government to meet strict targets.
"But we while not be making cutbacks in front-line services and hope most of the job loses will be through natural wastage."
By Sol Buckner
Popular stories:
Video - Exclusive behind the scenes FA Cup films
Wardens face axe in cash row
Video - Tour of Walsall wonder garden
Find bargains with StarBidz
Dad sees son killed in collision
