Jobs threat at town parks

And Stafford's showpiece Victoria Park and also Stonefield Park in Stone may remain unlocked at night as part of the cutbacks.

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Barry Stamp called at a full meeting of the council last night for the controlling Tory group to confirm rumours that park ranger posts were being cut to save money and that the parks would not be locked.

Cabinet member for leisure Councillor Mike Smith said that staff were being asked to volunteer for redundancy but said it would not be right to comment on which posts might go.

The leisure department, which has a £3.3 million budget for 2009-2010 is looking to make savings of £274,000.

This includes a figure of £148,000 for "efficiencies" yet to be identified and £61,000 for "staffing variations."

Councillor Debbie Wakefield said she feared that if park wardens were got rid off it could lead to increasing anti-social behaviour in Stonefield Park. "It would be a nightmare for people living in the area. It would be extremely short sighted to do this and people living around the park should be consulted first," she added.

Councillor Chris Baron said she feared the investment in improving Victoria Park would be "completely wasted."

"If any staff are taken away and it is not locked at night all sorts of things could happen. It is a very beautiful park – please reconsider this," she pleaded.

Councillor Smith said that the council was considering the option of an automatic locking system, similar to one used at Rowley Park in Stafford. He also confirmed the council was looking at providing skateboarding facilities in the 'teenage' area of Victoria Park.

Councillor Mike Heenan, the cabinet member for resources, confirmed that there were likely to be some redundancies as details of savings in the council's budget for 2009-2010 were finalised.