200 jobs shed at council in a year

More than 200 full-time jobs have been shed at cash-strapped Walsall Council over the last year, it emerged today.

The authority, which is looking to save £11.2 million this year, currently has 7,425 posts filled – compared to 7,661 last year.

Bosses today said 144 of the 216 fewer jobs could be accounted for through the transfer of staff from working for the council at Darlaston Community Science College to the new Darlaston Academy and following the deal that saw private firm Tarmac take on the highways department.

But the reduction also includes at least 36 redundancies and follows a recruitment freeze.

Other cuts include the planned closure of both Willenhall Leisure Centre and the Grange Golf Course, while council tax bills will rise by 3.9 per cent.

Councillor Chris Towe, Walsall Council cabinet member for finance and personnel, said: "As with any large employer, the staff numbers at Walsall Council are constantly changing due to a number of factors.

"Since April 2009 there has been an increase in part-time working, a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent staff and vacancies have not been filled - all measures aimed at making the council more efficient."