Menu
11/09/2013
Wolverhampton City Council To Cut 1,000 Jobs
Wolverhampton City Council has said 1,000 council jobs could be cut by 2015.
It added that it has "no choice" but to make the large scale budget cuts which will impact on both services and jobs in the area.
Council Leader Roger Lawrence has described the news as "a dark day for Wolverhampton".
In a statement, Mr Lawrence said continuing government cuts as well as a Council Tax freeze over the last four years had led to a severe reduction in the authority's finances. At the same time, demand for certain council services were also increasing due to a rise in birth rate, a changing population and an ever-increasing ageing population, while the effects of changes to welfare look certain to add to the demand as well.
The authority said the cuts were necessary in order to avoid a deficit of £89m by 2019.
The job cuts could see up to 20% of the council's workforce lose their jobs.
Mr Lawrence said: "Austerity is not new and through our very careful financial management, we've sustained a reduction in our revenue budget of almost £100 million over the last 5 years. So we are in a better position than many other councils.
"However, continuing government cuts mean there is now no way to address the budget shortfall without considerable pain in terms of services and jobs, at all levels in the council.
"Nor can we make up the difference from our reserves, not least because if we carry on as we are by April 2015 those reserves will have been reduced to an unsustainable level."
He continued: "All existing services will have to be reduced and, if they are not essential or do not meet the stated priorities, they must stop altogether. Services that operate on a commercial basis will have to survive without a council subsidy, or else close.
"These changes must also impact on the Voluntary Sector and the nature of our relationship with the sector."
It is understood the Cabinet will hold discussions later this month about savings proposals, while services will only be maintained if they are determined by council policy, Government legislation or by the decision of the council to meet a proven demand.
The public will be consulted on a range of proposals prior to final decisions being made before the budget is set for April 2014.
(JP/CD)
It added that it has "no choice" but to make the large scale budget cuts which will impact on both services and jobs in the area.
Council Leader Roger Lawrence has described the news as "a dark day for Wolverhampton".
In a statement, Mr Lawrence said continuing government cuts as well as a Council Tax freeze over the last four years had led to a severe reduction in the authority's finances. At the same time, demand for certain council services were also increasing due to a rise in birth rate, a changing population and an ever-increasing ageing population, while the effects of changes to welfare look certain to add to the demand as well.
The authority said the cuts were necessary in order to avoid a deficit of £89m by 2019.
The job cuts could see up to 20% of the council's workforce lose their jobs.
Mr Lawrence said: "Austerity is not new and through our very careful financial management, we've sustained a reduction in our revenue budget of almost £100 million over the last 5 years. So we are in a better position than many other councils.
"However, continuing government cuts mean there is now no way to address the budget shortfall without considerable pain in terms of services and jobs, at all levels in the council.
"Nor can we make up the difference from our reserves, not least because if we carry on as we are by April 2015 those reserves will have been reduced to an unsustainable level."
He continued: "All existing services will have to be reduced and, if they are not essential or do not meet the stated priorities, they must stop altogether. Services that operate on a commercial basis will have to survive without a council subsidy, or else close.
"These changes must also impact on the Voluntary Sector and the nature of our relationship with the sector."
It is understood the Cabinet will hold discussions later this month about savings proposals, while services will only be maintained if they are determined by council policy, Government legislation or by the decision of the council to meet a proven demand.
The public will be consulted on a range of proposals prior to final decisions being made before the budget is set for April 2014.
(JP/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 January 2011
Manchester City Council To Cut 2,000 Jobs
Due to government spending cuts, Manchester City Council are to cut 2,000 jobs. After changes to local authority grants left a huge hole in the Labour-run council's finances, a 17% reduction in the workforce will need to be implemented. Between now and 2012, officers will need to “quickly” find £110m of savings, £60m more than expected last year.
Manchester City Council To Cut 2,000 Jobs
Due to government spending cuts, Manchester City Council are to cut 2,000 jobs. After changes to local authority grants left a huge hole in the Labour-run council's finances, a 17% reduction in the workforce will need to be implemented. Between now and 2012, officers will need to “quickly” find £110m of savings, £60m more than expected last year.
14 February 2014
Torbay Council Back £22m Budget Cut
Torbay's mobile library service is to be scrapped as part of a council approved package of cuts. The council has backed some £22 million in cuts, which they say they have "no choice" but to implement.
Torbay Council Back £22m Budget Cut
Torbay's mobile library service is to be scrapped as part of a council approved package of cuts. The council has backed some £22 million in cuts, which they say they have "no choice" but to implement.
24 September 2013
Derbyshire Council Look To Save £157m
Around 1,600 jobs are to be cut by Derbyshire County Council in a move to save £157m over the next five years. Leader of the county council, Anne Weston, has blamed the government for the "devastating cuts", which will also look at the closure of some centres and the sharing of services as ways to make the savings.
Derbyshire Council Look To Save £157m
Around 1,600 jobs are to be cut by Derbyshire County Council in a move to save £157m over the next five years. Leader of the county council, Anne Weston, has blamed the government for the "devastating cuts", which will also look at the closure of some centres and the sharing of services as ways to make the savings.
16 September 2014
Birmingham City Council To Cut Thousands More Jobs
Birmingham City Council has announced that it will cut a further 6,000 over the next four years. The council say that by the end of the job cuts the total workforce at the council will be reduced to 7,000 full-time staff.
Birmingham City Council To Cut Thousands More Jobs
Birmingham City Council has announced that it will cut a further 6,000 over the next four years. The council say that by the end of the job cuts the total workforce at the council will be reduced to 7,000 full-time staff.
14 November 2013
Blackpool Council To Cut 700 Jobs
Seven hundred jobs are to be cut by Blackpool Council in an effort to save £36 million, it has been announced. According to reports the council has asked staff to consider various measure to help make the savings, including voluntary redundancy, five days of unpaid leave a year and a pay freeze.
Blackpool Council To Cut 700 Jobs
Seven hundred jobs are to be cut by Blackpool Council in an effort to save £36 million, it has been announced. According to reports the council has asked staff to consider various measure to help make the savings, including voluntary redundancy, five days of unpaid leave a year and a pay freeze.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
