Staff asked to take ‘voluntary redundancy’ at Oldham Council

The Council claim they need to find £30 million to plug a massive hole in their finances.

Oldham Council have said they’re going to ask staff to consider taking voluntary redundancy as part of a raft of cost cutting measures brought on by a hole in their finances.

According to the local authority they need to plug a £30 million gap and have laid the blame at the door of the Government.

They claim funding cuts of £215 million coupled with the money spent on trying to fight Coronavirus, which is estimated at around £20 million, has led them to ask their staff to consider voluntary redundancy, working fewers hours or even buying additional holiday days.

Oldham Council Leader Sean Fielding said: “Everyone at Oldham Council and Team Oldham has gone above and beyond to ensure we have been there for Oldham residents during the Coronavirus pandemic. They’ve been there to collect waste and recycling, to take calls on our emergency helpline, provide emergency food parcels to those most isolated and more.

“Asking our staff to now consider voluntary redundancy is not a decision that has been made lightly and not what any of us would wish. However, we have to explore all options for saving money due to the scale of the budget challenge we face.

“I urge the Government to fully support our continued effort in protecting the residents of Oldham and ensure we, and other local authorities, receive fair funding in these most challenging of times.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.