Fears that 600 jobs could be lost as result of city budget cuts

MORE THAN 600 jobs look set to go from Leeds City Council, as plans to make huge cuts to next year’s budget continue to take shape.

Early plans for the 2021/ 22 budget also include the closure of two councilrun care homes, a country park visitor centre and a household waste site in north Leeds.

It follows news that the council was facing a £ 119m budget shortfall for 2021/ 22, thanks partly to the effects of the Covid- 19 pandemic on council services and revenue collection.

Leeds Council leader Coun Judith Blake ( Lab) has warned there would have to be further cuts to council services if Government did not provide a financial bailout in the coming months. A report, set to be discussed in October’s executive board outlines an “overall anticipated reduction in the workforce for 2021/ 22 of 617 posts”. The council said it would “make every effort to avoid any compulsory redundancies being made”.

Other measures include a proposal to consult on the closure of two care homes: Homelea House in Rothwell and Richmond House in Farsley.

A statement from the council added: “Any decisions to move ahead with closure, would include a full public consultation and work to identify other care home accommodation suited to the individual needs of residents currently living at both care homes.”

Part of the proposals includes the closure of Otley ( Ellar Ghyll) household waste and recycling centre, adding: “If given the go- ahead, staff affected would be redeployed to vacancies on other sites or elsewhere in the service.”

The authority will also propose an increase in client contributions for adult social care services, while maintaining means- testing.

Both Lotherton Hall and Thwaite Mills will face reduced opening house, and Yeadon Tarn Sailing Centre is planned to be closed. Opening hours and staffing rotas in hubs and libraries in Leeds will be reviewed.

Plans to close West Leeds Country Park Visitor Centre in Pudsey Park will also be consulted on. The document will be discussed by the council’s executive board on Wednesday, October 21.