More job cuts to come

Published 17 Jun 2010 13:01 0 Comments

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By Jennifer Black

MORE job cuts at Renfrewshire Council are expected as the administration attempts to tackle a £75m funding gap over the next three years.

It is not yet known how many jobs will go, but it is believed that it will be more than the 300 posts which were cut earlier this year.

The council has already pledged to "do everything possible" to avoid compulsory redundancies through the use of redeployment and retraining.

Derek Mackay, council leader, pictured, said: "As a council we have already been preparing for difficult times ahead."

"That has involved our workforce planning programme, which structures the way we work and provide services in the future.

"And our Transforming Renfrewshire programme will deliver savings and improved customer service by increasing use of technology and new ways of working."

The authority will also be asking the public for its help and is planning a consultation which will see a series of meetings being held with area committees, business and voluntary organisations, trade unions and community councils over the summer. The consultation, which is called Difficult Choices for Difficult Times, will be outlined in the council's magazine, which is being delivered to 80,000 homes across the area over the next few weeks.

People will then be asked their opinion on a range of possible budget savings options, including restricting opening hours of community facilities, increased charges and possibly even stopping certain services all together.

Raising Council Tax could also be an option to help bridge of gap.

Councillor Mackay added: "Renfrewshire Council has achieved a great deal in recent years and will continue to do so.

"However, the impact of the economic downturn means that Renfrewshire, like all other councils and public services, will have far less money to fund services in the future.

"While we will continue to modernise the way we work internally and with partner organisations, there's no way that £75 million can be found by efficiency savings alone.

"We are being completely open with our customers that 'business as usual' isn't a realistic option.

"Our aim is to give people the full local and national context facing the council so that they can make informed comments and suggestions about how they would like us to approach particular issues or services."

UNISON, which represents a large majority of the council's workforce, has confirmed that representatives met with council bosses last week to discuss the cuts and has agreed to open and full dialogue as the situation progresses.

This article appeared in The Gazette 16 Jun 10

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