Western Morning News (Saturday)
Council staff jump at the chance of redundancy
CORNWALL Council bosses are having to work out which staff they want to keep after three times the number of people they wanted to make redundant said they were interested in leaving.
The council recently revealed that it was having to axe up to 200 posts as it tries to save money in its latest budget planning.
Senior councillors said that they wanted to reduce the number of jobs without having to make compulsory redundancies and said they were aiming to reduce the headcount through voluntary redundancies alone.
This week it was revealed that the council’s invitation to staff who might be interested in leaving the authority resulted in more than 600 people replying.
The information was provided to a meeting of the council’s economic growth and development overview and scrutiny committee.
Councillor Stephen Rushworth had raised the issue and asked whether there would be enough to help assist with a planned transformation of the council.
Councillors were told that under the council’s plans no department would have more than 3% vacant posts going forward.
Adam Paynter, deputy leader of the council, said that there had been “600-odd” expressions of interest from staff for voluntary redundancy.
In response terms of redundancy had been given to staff and he said that there would be more work done on finalising who would leave.
He also explained that the council had already introduced a freeze on recruitment apart from for service required posts such as those in social services.
Cllr Paynter said that the council was asking department heads to consider which staff they would need to keep to ensure they can continue to deliver services.
He said that this was important so that the council did not let staff go who were then later required.
“We don’t want to (go through a redundancy programme) then have to go out to employ people or use consultants. That won’t happen.”
The cut in jobs is required as the council looks at how to save £58million from its budget over the next four years.
Councillors are currently considering budget plans and a mediumterm financial plan for the next four years which will be finalised in February before it starts in April next year.
Under the current proposals Cornwall Council’s share of council tax bills will rise by 1.99% – the maximum allowed under current government guidelines without the need for a referendum.