Sponsored by
200 jobs could be cut at Borough Hall
Council plans to save £10million unveiled exclusively to the Times & Citizen
More than 10million in cuts from council spending have been unveiled by finance chiefs who plan to cut 200 jobs.
Councillor Michael Headley, portfolio holder for finance at Borough Hall and chief executive Philip Simpkins, discussed the plans at an exclusive interview with the Times & Citizen on Wednesday.
The plans are subject to approval by the Bedford Borough Council executive, and if approved will be the subject of public consultation,
Mr Headley said: "We are planning ahead and we want to be open and honest with residents about where we are making cuts.
"A lot of the cuts have been made behind the scenes, such as our management of debt which will save 400,000 a year.
"We also hope to save 32,000 a year with the hydropower plant scheme.
"These are tough times but we realise that residents are going through tough financial times too. We are making plans early in order to protect front line services and drive forward our commitment to a council tax freeze next year."
As part of the process the council is set to lose 200 posts across the organisation, reduce benefits for council staff including a subsidised canteen and parking and close some leisure facilities during quieter times.
But Mr Simpkins claimed that some of the job losses would be absorbed by vacant posts within the organisation.
He said: "We want to preserve front line services and job cuts within the council will be required.
"Some of those job will be positions that are vacant that we will not refill or we will look into re-deploying staff in other roles to save on redundancy costs."
Departments across the council have been involved in efficiency drives and major savings have been found by reviewing integrated youth support services including the Connexions scheme.
The service will now be pared back to focus on those most in need to make 500,000-worth of savings.
Closing the Foxgloves Respite Home will also save the council 500,000.
The closure of the home, which the council claims is unsustainable, will provide an opportunity to provide respite services in different ways.
Mr Headley added: "The majority of these services have been found by creating new ways of working that don't affect front line services, like merging systems in our HR and payroll sections and saving 260,000 from updating and improving our waste and recycling collection routes.
"We are committed to providing good financial management and working for our residents in an open and transparent way."
The proposals will be considered on September 15.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bedford
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
