Cannock Chase Council staff can apply for redundancy

A Staffordshire council facing budgets cuts of up to £3 million is set to change its policies to allow staff to take voluntary redundancy.

The move by Cannock Chase Council is the first clear indication that job cuts are on the way.

Council leader Neil Stanley said today the changes were part of a bid by the ruling Liberal Democrat group to avoid compulsory redundancies.

The authority will have to cut between £1.2 million and £3m from its annual budget over the next few years — on top of the £6m it has already cut in the past three years.

Other austerity measures under consideration include a twelve-month recruitment and pay freeze, and inviting staff to take cuts in their hours or buy additional annual leave.

The council's cabinet have also asked chief executive Stephen Brown to restructure several departments and his management team.

The move to allow staff to volunteer for redundancy will be put to the vote at a full council meeting on Wednesday.